Duško Dragić from the first season in 1950 to 2016 Champ ‘16 378 kph NICO ROSBERG (Mercedes) VALTTERI BOTTAS (Williams) Title of the book: Formula 1 (from the first season in 1950 to 2016) Author: Duško Dragić Photos: Sutton Images, Getty Images, Daimler, Arsen Perić, Williams, Reuters, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari, Red Bull Design: Duško Dragić Photo editor: Duško Dragić E-mail: duskodragic@hotmail.com On the front page: Fernando Alonso in a McLaren 2016 © Publisher: selfpublishment, 2017 CIP - Kataložni zapis o publikaciji Narodna in univerzitetna knjižnica, Ljubljana 796.71(450)(0.034.2) DRAGIĆ, Duško Formula 1 [Elektronski vir] : from the first season in 1950 to 2016 / Duško Dragić ; [photos Sutton Images ... et al.]. - El. knjiga. - Ljubljana : selfpublishment, 2017 Način dostopa (URL): www.dlib.si ISBN 978-961-283-929-1 (pdf) 290191616 INTRO F1 prior to championship establishment The Formula 1 World Championship began in capacity restrictions. The letters A, B and C were 1950, but the world of racing was known well before soon changed to numbers 1, 2 and 3, meaning that that. The first race was organized in 1895 in France the pinnacle of four wheel racing was finally labelled on route Paris-Bordeaux-Paris. After 2 days of racing Formula 1. They agreed that Formula 1 cars in 1950 with an average speed of 24 kph the Frenchman could have 1.5 litre compressed engines or 4.5 litre Émile Levassor won in his Penhard-Levassor. Those atmospheric engines. were the real pioneering days with car factories only In 1949 the first season of the World Motorcycle just beginning to form. Renault built theirs in 1898, Championship was held, which probably caught the Fiat in 1899, Alfa in 1909 and so on. Soon the first eye of the Italian Antonio Brivio. Brivio was a FIA permanent circuits were built: in Britain Brooklands member and prior to that even an occasional driver in 1907, in USA the famous oval Indianapolis in 1909, for Enzo Ferrari (Brivio stopped racing after winning in Italy Autodromo Monza in 1922… In 1895, when Mille Miglia in his own category in 1952). Before the first race was held, the Frenchmen established the winter of 1949/1950 Brivio suggested to the FIA Automobile Club of France (ACF), which organized council that instead of having individual races, which UNOFFICIAL HALL OF FAME the first Grand Prix race in 1906 at their famous venue were independent events, the Formula 1 should Jano Vittorio (Hungary, engineer) Enzo Ferrari (Italy, team leader) Le Mans. The Grand Prix had exact rules for racing have a championship and declare a champion. They Alfred Neubauer (Germany, team leader) which developed with lightning speed. Even as soon agreed upon an 8-6-4-3-2 points scoring system, Colin Chapman (Great Britain, team leader) Tazio Nuvolari (Italy, racing driver) as the end of World War 1 the racing cars didn’t look with Italian Alfas and German Auto Unions of course. with a single point being given out to the driver with Rudolf Caracciola (Germany, racing driver) Berndt Rosemeyer (Germany, racing driver) anything like road cars anymore. They had open wheels In the second half of the 1930’s a European champion the fastest lap of the race. And only the best results Achille Varzi (Italy, racing driver) and a narrow chassis, which of course meant there was declared based on results from certain races. from 4 races would count for the championship. The Jean-Pierre Wimille (France, racing driver) Alberto Ascari (Italy, racing driver) wasn’t room for the mechanic anymore – we could start The first race after World War 2 was organized on calendar of the first season in 1950 had 7 Grand Prix’s Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina, racing driver) talking about a Formula 1 racing car in the real sense of 9th September 1945 in Paris. Official name of the race from which 6 were held in Western Europe, making Jack Brabham (Australia, racing driver) Stirling Moss (Great Britain, racing driver) the word. was Grand Prix de la Liberation and it was won by the the chronics of that time raise their eyebrows when Graham Hill (Great Britain, racing driver) Jim Clark (Great Britain, racing driver) In the 1930’s Grand Prix’s were becoming Frenchman Jean-Pierre Wimille in a pre-war Bugatti. mentioning a ‘World’ Championship. To make the Jochen Rindt (Austria, racing driver) traditional, every year races were held on known tracks During this race the representatives of European sport more global they added the Indianapolis 500 Jackie Stewart (Great Britain, racing driver) Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil, racing driver) such as Spa, Nürbürgring and Monte Carlo. And the automobile unions and clubs met to form from the race, but this was just a gesture, because the American Niki Lauda (Austria, racing driver) racing cars passed the 200 kph mark with ease. Even pre-war AIACR the now well known international race was held under different rules and for different Mario Andretti (USA, racing driver) Gilles Villeneuve (Canada, racing driver) more, at one of the popular competitions in setting FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile). cars – therefore drivers as well. The only real attempt Ronnie Peterson (Sweeden, racing driver) Nelson Piquet (Brazil, racing driver) land speed records the German ace Rudolf Caracciola FIA unified the rules and divided racing with single to score points on the famous oval – and it was an Alain Prost (France, racing driver) drove to almost 433 kph with his modified Mercedes. seat racing cars into 3 different categories – formulas unsuccessful one – was that of the Italian driver Ayrton Senna (Brazil, racing driver) Michael Schumacher (Germany, racing driver) Mercedes had the best racing cars at that time, together A, B and C; the category A had the smallest engine Alberto Ascari in 1952 with a Ferrari and the race was permanently removed from the calendar in 1960. front side. The cockpits of the racing cars were big and Prix races. Reading other Formula 1 books was difficult Drivers who lost their lives in Formula 1 In the first championship season in 1950 the non- open and the drivers were unanimous in believing they for me because of the lack of statistical information, 1953 Chet Miller (USA) championship races were still held and still with the best had a better chance of surviving if they were thrown which wasn’t properly arranged, so in each season I Charles de Tornaco (Belgium) 1954 Onofre Marimón (Argentina) teams and drivers of the era. But they lost their meaning out of the car during a crash, so seatbelts didn’t become added the points table and the calendar. In the calendar 1955 Manny Ayulo (USA) with the growing number of championship races on common before the end of the 1960’s. The races were itself the grid positions from which drivers won the Bill Vukovich (USA) the calendar. The last blow for non-championship races long. In 1954 the German Grand Prix lasted almost 4 race are written down and the races where the driver 1957 Eugenio Castellotti (Italy) Keith Andrews (USA) came from the FIA, which reserved the name Grand hours, 50 years later already just a little over an hour. championships were decided are marked with a star. 1958 Pat O’ Connor (USA) Prix only for championship races, thus making Formula In the more than 60–year old history of Formula 1 The pole positions and wins of the champion have Luigi Musso (Italy) 1 cars an ever rarer site at other events. racing 44 drivers lost their lives, but F1 aces tragically an enhanced font to give the reader a better view of Peter Collins (Great Britain) Stuart Lewis-Evans (Great Britain) Even though the Formula 1 World Championship succumb in other categories as well. The two time his achievements. In the overall points table only 1959 Jerry Unser (USA) with its establishment became one of the best organized world champion Jim Clark, for example, died during drivers with points are exposed. It’s the same with Bob Cortner (USA) sports of the time, safety wasn’t given much attention. a Formula 2 race in 1968. Formula 1 – together with teams. Drivers without scoring points, but succeeding 1960 Harry Schell (USA) Chris Bristow (Great Britain) More than 50 years after the first ever automobile race, other racing competitions – claimed most lives of al elsewhere (the big boss of F1 Bernie Ecclestone, for Alan Stacey (Great Britain) the drivers still didn’t have protective helmets (they sport categories. example, or the 5 time champion in the German DTM Giulio Cabianca (Italy) became a necessity in 1952), some were even racing The material from the book is mostly from Gerald series Bernd Schneider…) are mentioned in the main 1961 Wolfgang von Trips (Germany) 1962 Ricardo Rodríguez (Mexico) with T-shirts. In time, the tyre manufacturers gave Donaldson’s Formula 1 – The Autobiography, some text or better yet in the season when they tried their Gary Hocking (Rhodezia) the drivers light overalls, similar to job uniforms in from Murray Walker’s Formula One Heroes by Murray Formula 1 luck. I deliberately limited my self to 2 1964 Carel Godin de Beaufort (Netherlands) 1966 John Taylor (Great Britain) manufacturing plants, but the overalls had to have a Walker and Simon Taylor, the rest is from my research, standard A4 pages per season. In a sense I behaved ‘like 1967 Lorenzo Bandini (Italy) small patch with the name of the tyre factory on the I also added some stories from my travels to Grand Formula 1’ – writing the best possible book but having Bob Anderson (Great Britain) certain ‘rules’. In some seasons drivers raced in several 1968 Jo Schlesser (France) 1969 Gerhard Mitter (Germany) cars or teams, so you shouldn’t be confused, if you see, 1970 Piers Courage (Great Britain) for example, Rolf Stommelen (brabham ford, brabham Jochen Rindt (Austria) alfa romeo, hesketh ford) in the points table of the 1976 1971 Jo Siffert (Sweeden) 1973 Roger Williamson (Great Britain) season. From the 1958 season onward the statistics of François Cevert (France) the constructor’s champion (most wins and most pole 1974 Peter Revson (USA) positions) have an enhanced font. Only one champion Helmut Koinigg (Austria) 1975 Mark Donohue (USA) won his title in 2 different teams and that is Juan 1977 Tom Pryce (Great Britain) Manuel Fangio in 1954. Because the extra photo would Brian McGuire (Australia) ruin the symmetry of the book, I decided to show you 1978 Ronnie Peterson (Sweeden) 1980 Patrick Depailler (France) the Maserati from that season in this introduction. 1982 Gilles Villeneuve (Canada) Enjoy reading, Riccardo Paletti (Italy) 1986 Elio de Angelis (Italy) 1994 Roland Ratzenberger (Austria) Ayrton Senna (Brazil) 2015 Jules Bianchi (France) Duško Dragić 1950 NINO FARINA (Alfa Romeo) After World War 2 the Italian car manufacturer anything like that after Silverstone. I think we all just Alfa Romeo soon dominated the world of racing – went to the beer tent. My race was a disaster. There was mainly because the Germans were prohibited in taking a mix up with my crew about pit signals, and after my part up to the year 1950 and some of it because the refuelling stop I rejoined in something of a frenzy and English and the French hadn’t ‘woken up’ yet. Despite was a bit too forceful with the gear lever, so I had to this it hadn’t gone down without complications for retire with bent gear selectors.” the Italians. In 1948 both aces of the team (the Italian At the historic race in Silverstone one famous team Achille Varzi and Frenchman Jean-Pierre Wimille) was missing. Enzo Ferrari, who could now race with were killed. On top of this the third driver (Italian his own racing cars and not just the Alfas modified in Didi Trossi) got badly ill so the Italians moved from his workshop, didn’t send the team to Great Britain the sport at the end of the year. They were back because he was convinced that his racing cars weren’t before the 1950 season with the distinguished Italian yet prepared for the battle with the mighty Alfas. The driver Nino Farina and the quiet Juan Manuel Fangio howling red Alfas ran in predictable 1-2-3-4 formation, from Argentina. Both were main contenders for the with Farina leading Fangio, the Italian Luigi Fagioli championship title. and Briton’s Reg Parnell, until a rare mistake from The historic first race of the World Championship Fangio: he clipped a straw bale, broke an oil pipe and STANDINGS was in Great Britain on 13th May on an abandoned retired. 30 Nino Farina (alfa romeo) military airfield in Silverstone. But the newly felt that motor racing had ‘arrived’ in England.” A less Fangio’s first World Championship victory came 27 Juan Manuel Fangio (alfa romeo) 24 Luigi Fagioli (alfa romeo) established series wasn’t mentioned very often. There romanticised picture of what Grand Prix racing was the week after Silverstone, when he lapped the rest of 13 Louis Rosier (talbot lago) were 21 drivers at the start of a little more than a 200 really like in the 1950’s came from the amateur driver the field in a dramatic Monaco Grand Prix. 11 Alberto Ascari (ferrari) 9 Johnnie Parsons (kurtis kraft offenhauser) mile long race. Of the factory teams Alfa Romeo and who started 17th on that first grid with his privately High winds blew sea water onto the track at the 6 Bill Holand (deidt offenhauser) the French Talbot-Lago were present and apart from owned Alta. Geoffrey Crossley remembered: “I towed Tabac corner, where the track surface in those days 5 Prince Bira (maserati) 4 Peter Whitehead (ferrari) half a dozen Maseratis of varying ages, the rest of the my car behind a wartime Chevy truck I’d bought at was stone paving slabs. On the first lap, Farina, chasing Louis Chiron (maserati) Reg Parnell (alfa romeo, maserati) field was made up with British no-hopers: four ancient an army disposal sale. You negotiated start money Fangio for the lead, spun on the wet surface. Luigi Mauri Rose (deidt offenhauser) ERA’s and a couple of Altas. The British press covered with the organizers, and you’d get a bit of prize money Villoresi’s Ferrari squeezed through, but fourth man 3 Dorino Serafini (ferrari) Yves Giraud-Cabantous (talbot lago) the race with breathless enthusiasm. Bill Buddy of the if you finished – £75 perhaps or £100 if you’d done José Froilán González crashed his Maserati, splitting Raymond Sommer (ferrari, talbot lago) Motor Sport wrote: “The arrival of the cars before a well. The fact that Silverstone was the first round of open his full tank to add fuel to the soaking surface. Robert Manzon (simca gordini) Cecil Green (kurtis kraft offenhauser) big race never fails to thrill. That evening in the bars the new World Championship didn’t really affect us. More than half of the field was eliminated in the Philippe Etancelin (talbot lago) 2 Felice Bonetto (maserati, maserati milano, milano) in Buckingham and adjacent towns there was only In fact, I don’t think we even knew about it. After ensuing pile-up. Jose Froilan González carried on in his 1 Eugene Chaboud (talbot lago) one topic of conversation – the Grand Prix. Even the continental races there would always be a big gala battered and leaking car, only for it to burst into flames Joie Chitwood (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Tony Bettenhausen (deidt offenhauser, kurtis kraft offenhauser) before the 150,000 people flocked to the course we dinner for the drivers and teams. I don’t remember at the next corner. In al , 10 of the 19 starters were eliminated. Fangio had seen none of this, but as he from the wreckage, and work my way towards the the race – and Juan Manuel Fangio and Nino Farina Race Pole Winner approached the blind corner, he realised that it looked gap that remained.” The Argentine driver also won retired – then he would have 27 points and therefore GP GREAT BRITAIN Farina Farina subtly different. Juan Manuel Fangio: “Instead of the in Belgium and France. win the title. It was a bit unlikely, but still. One GP MONACO Fangio Fangio white blobs of faces looking at me, I saw necks craned. Before the last race in Italy Juan Manuel Fangio notable fact also stood out. Juan Manuel Fangio only GP INDIANAPOLIS Faulkner Parsons (5) I was in the lead, but people were looking to their and Nino Farina had 26 and 22 points respectively, needed a third place in case of Nino Farina’s win and GP SWITZERLAND Fangio Farina (2) right, which meant something more interesting must but they only finished 3 races in the points scoring the mathematical chances could only be ruined by GP BELGIUM Farina Fangio (2) be happening round the corner. A photo I’ve seen in an positions, so the duo could count on maximum Ferrari’s Alberto Ascari. The Old Enzo Ferrari, having GP FRANCE Fangio Fangio GP ITALY* Fangio Farina (3) old album, of a pile-up in the 1936 Monte Carlo race, (nine) points on the Monza track near Milan. Luigi lost the season, wanted to save a little bit of his pride came back to me in a flash and I started to slow. Round Fagioli on the other hand had 24 points and already with a good result at Autodromo Monza. During the the corner there was a mass of crashed cars and fuel finished four races in the points scoring positions, race Juan Manuel Fangio scored the fastest lap on Most wins Most pole positions spilling all over the track. I managed to pull up inches but if he was to finish first and set the fastest lap of lap 7 and slowed down in third place – this would 3 Farina 4 Fangio Fangio 2 Farina 1 Parsons 1 Faulkner »I towed my car to Silverstone behind 6 Alfa Romeo 6 Alfa Romeo 1 Kurtis Kraft 1 Kurtis Kraft a wartime Chevy I’d bought at an army disposal sale.« GEOFFREY CROSSLEY give him the championship. On lap 22 Alberto Ascari drove to the pits with a broken shaft, Juan Manuel Fangio too 3 laps later, but in his case it was the gearbox. They tried everything in both teams. Ferrari called in the Italian Dorino Serafini to let his car over to Ascari (this was allowed in the 1950’s), Alfa did the same with Piero Taruffi for Fangio. It was all over on lap 35, when Fangio’s engine broke down. Meanwhile, Farina won by a large margin ahead of Ascari, who split the points for second place with Serafini. There were rumours that Alfa sabotaged Fangio because the Italian team wanted an Italian champion. Fangio who had a better season than Farina, because he won the non-championship races in Pau, San Remo, Geneva and Pescara, didn’t want to believe the press. He said: “I don’t believe these stories and rumours.” 1951 JUAN MANUEL FANGIO (Alfa Romeo) In the 1951 season Alfa again was the main best, because Fangio lost 15 minutes during a pit-stop. favourite to win the championship. But the team from The historic British Grand Prix followed, where Milan had a serious rival in Scuderia Ferrari. There José Froilàn González scored his and Ferrari’s first were still no other serious contenders. The Maseratis championship win. González had joined Scuderia were all run by private teams. France expanded their Ferrari at the French Grand Prix, standing in for luck by putting Simca-Gordini alongside Talbot-Lago, Taruffi who was unwell, and had run strongly in second but the French weren’t a worthy rival, and as for the place before handing over his car to Ascari. This was British BRM project … well, it looked like it wasn’t enough to earn the chubby Argentine a permanent going to be competitive in the near future. place in the team. Still, his first race with Ferrari had The Alfa 159, a modified version of the Tipo 158, bitter taste. José Froilàn González: “I had a tough could produce an impressive 430bhp. But the fuel battle for the lead at that first race for Ferrari in France consumption was even worse, and additional side and when I finally managed to become the leader tanks had to be fitted for some races. Alberto Ascari of the race, my crew surprised me. They ordered me was second in 2 races of the 1950 season (Monaco to let over my car to Ascari, because his was broke. and Italy) and was now the main threat to beat Fangio I was disappointed.” Back to the British Grand Prix for the title. Ferrari changed their 1.5 litre engine – again Acari’s racing car broke down and this time with a 4.5 litre one at the last race of the 1950 season. González himself offered his car, but the crew pushed The red four wheel car was now tested and ready for began to make jokes about how unlucky it was to kill him back into the cockpit and he could continue STANDINGS success. The FIA removed the race in Monaco from a black cat, especially the night before the race. Ascari, with his sensational ride. The race developed into a 31 Juan Manuel Fangio (alfa romeo) the calendar and added the first German and Spanish for one, had a terrible fear about black cats: if one thunderous fight between the stylishly smooth Fangio 25 Alberto Ascari (ferrari) 24 José Froilàn González (talbot lago, ferrari) Grand Prix’s. crossed the road in front of him he would stop, turn and the wildly abandoned González, and many of the 19 Nino Farina (alfa romeo) At the first race in Switzerland Fangio won in round, and find another route… That night I couldn’t straw bales lining Silverstone’s featureless layout were 15 Luigi Villoresi (ferrari) 10 Piero Taruffi (ferrari) torrential rain by over a minute ahead of Taruffi in a sleep, thinking about killing that cat. Well, as it turned shredded by the Ferrari’s cheese-cutter grille. Sammy 9 Lee Wallard (kurtis kraft offenhauser) 7 Felice Bonetto (alfa romeo) Ferrari and teammate Farina. Years later, he named that out, next day I led the race pretty much from start to Davis of The Autocar wrote: “On one lap González 6 Mike Nazaruk (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Swiss victory as an important milestone, and for an finish, in the pouring rain. For me, that day marked almost met his Waterloo!” The owner of the team was 5 Reg Parnell (ferrari, BRM) 4 Luigi Fagioli (alfa romeo) unusual reason. Juan Manuel Fangio: “The night before the end of all superstition. In the beginning everyone delighted. Enzo Ferrari: “I had left Alfa Romeo so that 3 Consalvo Sanesi (alfa romeo) the race, before going to bed, I invited two friends to has his superstition. If fate is unkind to you on the I might show the people there what I was made of – an Louis Rosier (talbot lago) Andy Linden (sherman offenhauser) take a couple of laps of the circuit in my own car. I day you happen to run over a black cat, you remain a ambitious idea that might have ruined me! When for 2 Jack McGrath (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Manny Ayulo (kurtis kraft offenhauser) wanted to memorise it again, down to the last detail. slave to that superstition for the rest of your life.” The the first time in the history of our direct rivalry Jose Toulo de Graffenried (alfa romeo, maserati) Suddenly a cat darted across the road, and I ran it over. Argentine won in France as well, after his car failed and Froilan González in a Ferrari showed his heels to the Yves Giraud-Cabantous (talbot lago) Bobby Ball (schroeder offenhauser) ‘You killed a black cat!’ they shouted in unison, and he took over Fagioli’s one. But in Belgium Farina was whole Alfa team and the world as well, I wept with joy.” At the next round, Ferrari vanquished Alfa fury and suspicion after disappointment. Amid teammate and therefore with only half of the full Race Pole Winner Romeo again, Ascari beating Fangio by half a claims of sabotage within the factory, one or two of points. In these cases the FIA probably took into GP SWITZERLAND Fangio Fangio minute in the first post-war Formula 1 race at the the workforce were dismissed. consideration just the win and not the height of the GP INDIANAPOLIS Nalon Wallard (2) Nürbürgring. On its home soil at Monza, Alfa Before the last race in Spain, at least according points for that win. González wasn’t a candidate for GP BELGIUM Fangio Farina (2) therefore made a giant effort, with three updated to records in several books, the only 2 drivers to the title because: of the four countable results for the GP FRANCE Fangio Fangio 159Ms among its four-car entry. The race crews have mathematical chances of winning the title were title his was a third place and Fangio’s was a second. GP GREAT BRITAIN González González practised their refuelling stops too, but their Fangio and Ascari. But in case of their misfortunes But it’s clear that if González wouldn’t have let over GP GERMANY Ascari Ascari GP ITALY Fangio Ascari (3) rehearsals almost ended in tragedy when Consalvo and a win from González, the two Argentines would his car at that race in France, he would have been in GP SPAIN* Ascari Fangio (2) Sanesi’s caught fire and was badly burned. The effort have 27 points each and Ascari 25. Fangio and the best position of al ! didn’t payoff and the Ferraris of Ascari and González González would have 2 wins each, but one of those Spain, then! At the Pedralbes circuit north of finished a crushing 1-2. At Alfa Romeo, there was Fangio’s wins was achieved in a shared car with a Barcelona, Alfa Romeo was determined nothing Most wins Most pole positions 3 Fangio 4 Fangio 2 Ascari 2 Ascari 1 González 1 González »That night I couldn’t sleep at all, I was Farina Nalon Wallard thinking about killing that cat I’d ran over with my car.« 4 Alfa Romeo 4 Alfa Romeo 3 Ferrari 3 Ferrari JUAN MANUEL FANGIO 1 Kurtis Kraft 1 Kurtis Kraft should go wrong this time. Ferrari was hoping to go through without a refuelling stop, but it also opted for a smaller-diameter, wider wheels. In the heat and with heavy fuel loads, first Taruffi, then Villoresi, then Ascari and finally González all needed to stop for tyres. Fangio meanwhile drove a faultless race, won and became champion. Jose Froilan González was again the Ferrari star, coming back brilliantly to finish second and push Farina down into third place, both in the race and in the championship points table. To vanquish Ferrari in 1952, Alfa realised that a completely new car was needed. It had insufficient funds to develop it, so approached the Italian government for a subsidy. When this failed to materialise, the company announced its withdrawal from Formula 1. It came back several decades later, but only as a engine supplier.. 1952 ALBERTO ASCARI (Ferrari) Alfa Romeo’s withdrawal left no serious challenge including the one at a new venue – the Dutch to Ferrari, so the FIA realised that, unless something track Zandvoort. He won 6 races in a row. This was done, every Grand Prix was likely to be a walkover. record wasn’t surpassed until 2004, when Michael It had announced a new Formula 1, for 2.5 litre Schumacher won 7 times. Ascari also won the next unsupercharged cars, but this would not come into three races he entered, this was in 1953, making it a force until 1954. Hoping to encourage opposition total of 9 consecutive wins. This wasn’t equalled until from Britain, France and Germany, the governing body 2013, when Sebastian Vettel did the same. decided that the 1952-53 world championship would Acari became world champion in Germany, but be for relatively plentiful Formula 2 cars. In fact, it not without problems. The sleepy 260 thousand-ushered in two years of almost uninterrupted Ferrari head crowd already waited for a routine end of domination. the race, when he suddenly drove into the pits. He Ferrari had a ‘bouncy’ 2-litre engine and the team pointed to his mechanics on the spot where oil was won 14 of the 17 championship races in the next two leaking. His teammate Farina took over the lead as years. While a few non-championship Formula 1 races the mechanics tried to repair his car. Ascari was 9 continued to be run in with sparse fields, the Formula seconds behind Farina after the pit stop, but he cut 2 Grand Prix did succeed in attracting more works the margin by half in half a lap. Then he fought a STANDINGS teams: two from Italy, one from France and, at varying tough battle with Farina, but the latter had to give 36 Alberto Ascari (ferrari) times, up to four from Britain. Of the drivers, 107 took from the last starting grid. He was exhausted, so it way to Ascari. This was Ascari’s second and last 24 Nino Farina (ferrari) 22 Piero Taruffi (ferrari) part in a race in 1952, a bigger number, 108, can only was no wonder that he crashed heavily on the second triumph in Germany. 10 Rudi Fischer (ferrari) be found in 1953. lap. He crashed into a grass bank, and was thrown out Until the last competition of the season, when Mike Hawthorn (cooper bristol) 9 Robert Manzon (gordini) The only real challenger to Ferrari was to be of the car as it flipped end over end. He was taken to Gonzalez finished the race in second place in a 8 Troy Ruttman (kuzma offenhauser) Maserati, but the latter team was running behind in hospital with multiple injuries, the most serious being Maserati, the first two podium places of the 1952 Luigi Villoresi (ferrari) 6,5 José Froilàn González (maserati) preparing the car. It wasn’t suitable to race until 8th a broken neck, and spent the rest of 1952 recovering in season were basically all ‘reserved’ for Ferrari drivers. 6 Jim Rathmann (kurtis kraft offenahauser) Jean Behra (gordini) June at the non-championship race in Monza. It was Argentina. This would also hobble Maserati’s efforts. Of the lowest podium position, two were ‘decorated’ 4 Sam Hanks (kurtis kraft offenhauser) supposed to be run by Fangio, but the Argentine was The first race of the championship was in with French drivers Robert Manzon and Jean Behra 3 Ken Wharton (frazer-nash bristol, cooper bristol) Dennis Poore (connaught francis) in Ireland the day before, also at a non-championship Switzerland, where Ascari was missing. The Italian in racing cars of the factory Gordini. Manzon was Duane Carter (lesovsky offenhauser) race. He promised to come, but his flight was was preparing for the Indy 500 race. Therefore, third in Belgium, while Behra achieved the same 2 Alan Brown (cooper bristol) Maurice Trintignant (ferrari, simca gordini, gordini) cancelled, so he had to change his plan. He came to Ferrari’s Piero Taruffi won his first and only race. In result in Switzerland. The story before the Swiss Paul Frère (HMW alta, simca gordini) Felice Bonetto (maserati) Monza only an hour before the race, driving overnight Indianapolis Ascari qualified in 19th position, but race is maybe interesting because the factory was Art Cross (kurtis kraft offenhauser) across Europe behind the wheel of a rented car. Because he wasn’t able to finish the race. But after coming late in preparing the racing car. In fact, so late that Eric Thompson (connaught francis) 1 Bill Vukovich (kurtis kraft offenhauser) he missed all of the practice sessions, he had to start back to Europe he won all of the championship races, even a transportation wasn’t possible. There just wasn’t enough time. So Behra jumped straight into at a non-championship Grand Prix in the French Hawthorn, who won the championship 6 years later Race Pole Winner the cockpit of the racing car and drove it on French Reims, but some books suggest he had an illegal in a Ferrari. The Brit, who always raced with a bow GP SWITZERLAND Farina Taruffi (2) roads all the way to the Franco-Swiss border, where the engine. Behra’s win was also suspicious, because tie, was noticed at the Easter Monday Goodwood GP INDIANAPOLIS Agabashian Ruthmann (10) customs officers raised an eyebrow or two – of course, Ferrari won sixteen of the seventeen Grand Prix’s. International competition in England, where he GP BELGIUM Ascari Ascari they let him pass. Behra beat the Ferrari racing cars The surprise of the season was the rookie Mike won twice with his Cooper Bristol and was second GP FRANCE Ascari Ascari GP GREAT BRITAIN Farina Ascari (2) GP GERMANY* Ascari Ascari GP NETHERLANDS Ascari Ascari »Alberto Ascari, the driver, had a precise and well tested GP ITALY Ascari Ascari driving stile, but as man he had this Most wins Most pole positions 6 Ascari 5 Ascari hunger to get into the lead from the very beginning. 1 Taruffi 2 Farina Ruthmann 1 Agabashian He didn’t want his kids to get too attached to him. ‘I might die, 7 Ferrari 7 Ferrari and if I do, they’ll suffer less,’ he said to me.« 1 Kuzma 1 Kurtis Kraft ENZO FERRARI in the main race behind Gonzalez in a Ferrari. He then raced in 5 Grand Prix races, where he was twice fourth and on one occasion even third, putting him fifth in the championship, behind the Ferrari drivers. The old Enzo noticed him and offered him a factory seat as soon as the next season. The young Brit accepted. The last race of the season was the Italian Grand Prix held at Autodromo Monza near Milan, where Jose Froilan Gonzalez, racing in a factory Maserati A6GCM, scared the whole Ferrari team, including Ascari. The Argentine started the race with an emptier fuel tank, leading almost half of the race, before pitting for fuel. Despite the pit-stop he managed to finish second and therefore beat Ferraris Villoresi and Farina. This was a clear indication that Maserati was going to be much stronger in the upcoming 1953 season. 1953 ALBERTO ASCARI (Ferrari) The Italian Alberto Ascari was the first driver in of Farina’s third-placed Ferrari. Farina swerved to avoid Formula 1 to defend his title. He won it with thirty him, lost control and slid sideways into the densely four and a half points. He got the half a point in Great packed crowd beside the track. Officially, ten people Britain, where he and Gonzalez shared a point for the were killed, and more than 30 seriously injured, but fastest lap of the race. In the 50’s a driver would get a the true numbers were probably much greater. For a half a point also, if he, for example, shared 3 points for while, there was mayhem. Hysterical spectators were 4th place. And later half a point was given to a driver, running unchecked, and Englishman Alan Brown if the race was stopped before a needed amount of laps struck another child with his Cooper-Bristol. Some for full points (crashes, heavy rain, etc.). wrote the child died, yet some he was ‘only’ badly In 1953 the pinnacle of motorsports had first injured. Some of more lurid contemporary accounts victims amongst the drivers. On 18th September in speak of ambulances crashing into each other, and of Modena the Belgian driver Charles de Tornaco was a policeman, trying to restore order, being kicked to killed during testing in a Ferrari. Before that, on 15th death by a hysterical mob. Incredibly, the race went May, the American Chet Miller died during practice on. Ascari’s Ferrari won by a lap from team mate before Indy 500 (the famous oval has most victims of Villoresi, with Gonzalez third for Maserati. Fangio, in all the circuits). his first race since his near-fatal Monza accident more Juan Manuel Fangio was back on the racing scene, than seven months before – and now displaying the and the first race of the championship – also the first afternoon dragged on, and the crowd became more distinctive stiff-necked stoop that would remain with STANDINGS outside Europe, if we don’t count Indy 500 – was impatient in the baking heat, the organisers realised him for the rest of his life – retired from second place 34,5 Alberto Ascari (ferrari) his home Grand Prix in Argentina. In the suburbs there would be a riot if the race did not take place, with broken transmission of his Maserati. 28 Juan Manuel Fangio (maserati) 26 Nino Farina (ferrari) of the capital Buenos Aires a track was built with a so they gave it a green light. Mike Hawthorn, who With the return to Europe and with the help of 19 Mike Hawthorn (ferrari) financial aid of the Perón government. On race day 350 drove for Ferrari for the first time, remembered: the talented Fangio and Gonzalez (the latter didn’t 17 Luigi Villoresi (ferrari) 13,5 José Froilàn González (maserati) thousand people flocked to the scene. Many of them “The crowd was edging further and further into compete at the last 3 races of the season) Maserati 9 Bill Vukovich (kurtis kraft offenhauser) 7 Toulo de Graffenried (maserati) wanted to see the race for free, so they cut through the the roadway, completely obscuring the view of the gradually equalled the speed of Ferrari, if not 6,5 Felice Bonetto (maserati) fence. Then one enterprising individual threw a hook corners. Time after time I waved at them to get out endurance as well. Proof of that was the French Grand 6 Art Cross (kurtis kraft offenhauser) 4 Onofre Marimón (maserati) over one of the wire fences, hitched it to the back of a of the way, but this only made them worse. They Prix on the triangular circuit Reims, famous for its Maurice Trintignant (gordini) truck and dragged it down altogether. Crowd control began standing in the roadway holding shirts and long straights. Hawthorn and Fangio fought tooth and 2 Duane Carter (kurtis kraft offenhauser, lesovsky offenhauser) Sam Hanks (kurtis kraft offenhauser) broke down completely, and people clustered five or pullovers, which they snatched away at the last nail for the win. The Brit used his faster accelerations, Hermann Lang (maserati) Jack McGrath (kurtis kraft offenhauser) six feet deep on the very edge of the track, or actually moment like a toreador playing a bul .” Surprisingly, while the Argentine counted on his bigger top speed. Oscar Galvez (maserati) on the road surface itself. Horrified by the potential it was not until lap 32 that the inevitable accident Ferrari’s new boy had to adapt rapidly to the art of 1,5 Fred Agabashian (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Paul Russo (kurtis kraft offenhauser) danger, the drivers at first refused to start. But as the happened. A small boy dashed into the road in front slipstreaming. Mike Hawthorn: “We were hurtling along at 160mph, sometimes three abreast. It was a on the pedal and use the surge of urge to nip out Thillois, he braked harder than I had expected and I Race Pole Winner bit frightening to see the nose of one of the other cars and pass him. Whereupon he would try to get into shunted him lightly, putting a dent in the Maserati’s GP ARGENTINA Ascari Ascari come alongside, then drop back again as the driver position to return the compliment. The slightest tail. That shook me for a moment, for I thought it GP INDIANAPOLIS Vukovich Vukovich decided he could not make it before the next corner. misjudgement could have meant disaster for would take some living-down. ‘New Boy Shunts GP NETHERLANDS Ascari Ascari The cars were evenly matched, and we could only get everybody, but even so we usually managed a quick Fangio,’ they would say. But he showed no resentment GP BELGIUM Fangio Ascari (2) past each other by slipstreaming. The trick was to grin at each other when we passed – all except Farina, at al . He just kept on fighting every inch of the way, GP FRANCE Ascari Hawthorn (7) tuck in close behind the other man, get a tow from who sat scowling with concentration… Fangio according to rules, in the way that has earned him the GP GREAT BRITAIN Ascari Ascari GP GERMANY Ascari Farina (3) his slipstream, ease back the throttle as far as possible and I were inches apart, and I could clearly see the admiration and respect of everyone in motor racing. I GP SWITZERLAND* Fangio Ascari (2) and without losing position, and then suddenly tramp rev-counter in his cockpit. Once, as we came into had been scared that the master was going to get very GP ITALY Ascari Fangio (2) »We were hurtling along at 160mph, somethimes Most wins Most pole positions 5 Ascari 6 Ascari 1 Fangio 2 Fangio three abreast. It was a bit frightening to see the nose of other cars Farina 1 Vukovich Hawthorn come alongside, then drop back again.« Vukovich 7 Ferrari 6 Ferrari MIKE HAWTHORN 1 Maserati 2 Maserati 1 Kurtis Kraft 1 Kurtis Kraft angry with such a newcomer, particularly in a World Championship event. Yet gradually I saw that he, too, was thoroughly enjoying himself. As we went down the straight at Garenne, practically wheel to wheel, I would catch his infectious grin, which did more than anything else to give me the confidence to keep it up. Some drivers in the top grade would have tried everything to put me off – but not Fangio. Naturally he did his best to beat me fair and square, but it was one of those days for me, and that wonderful little F2 Ferrari did the rest.” Ferrari’s clean sweep continued until an enthral ing final round at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, the last championship race run to the Formula 2 regulations. After almost three hours of racing Juan Manuel Fangio took advantage of Ascari’s mistake in the last corner and won the first race for Maserati. 1954 JUAN MANUEL FANGIO (Maserati, Mercedes) The new 2500cc Formula 1 was destined to remain German team boss Alfred Neubauer, who dominated in force for seven years, and this period of stability saw with the Mercedes team in the 30’s, was pleased with a fascinating swing of technical superiority from Italy the result, while Enzo Ferrari said of him: “Political to Germany to Britain, accompanied by the transition motives were behind the efforts of Hitlerite Germany, from hefty, front-engined, ladder-framed cars to dainty, when Mercedes and Auto Union cars swept the board lightweight, mid-engined spaceframes. But at the start everywhere. The second Mercedes offensive, after of the new formula, little seemed to have changed. the war, was for reasons of industrial prestige and Ferrari and Maserati were still the only protagonists economic policy. The one great figure behind both seriously challenging for victory, while Gordini, these attacks was, of course, Alfred Neubauer. I first struggling on with marginal finance, was the only other saw him when he was driving a Mercedes in the Targa works participant. Florio race in 1923 or 1924. ‘He’s not very likable sort However, there had been rumours for some time of fellow, this German,’ I thought to myself. Then, in that Mercedes-Benz was planning to return to Grand 1934, we ran into one another again. It was the debut Prix racing; indeed it had briefly considered doing of the weight formula, and Mercedes and Auto Union STANDINGS so in 1951, using a car based on its pre-war 1500cc – or, rather, Germany – had come to the conclusion 42 Juan Manuel Fangio (maserati, mercedes) 25,14 José Froilàn González (ferrari) supercharged Tripoli machine, but the adoption of that the time was ripe for their offensive. And Alfred 24,64 Mike Hawthorn (ferrari) Formula 2 for 1952 had ended the project. Instead, Neubauer was the new general. He had grown so stout 17 Maurice Trintignant (ferrari) 12 Karl Kling (mercedes) during the winter of 1952, the Daimler-Benz board leaving him nothing more than occasional guest drives that I hardly recognized him. And, in the years that 8 Bill Vukovich (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Hans Hermann (mercedes) secretly authorised the development of an advanced with Ferrari and Maserati. were to come, seemingly in pace with the increasing 6 Luigi Musso (maserati) new Formula 1 car, capable of winning under the The new Mercedes-Benz cars would not be raced strength of Mercedes and Germany, Neubauer grew Nino Farina (ferrari) Jimmy Bryan (kuzma offenhausser) 2.5 litre regulations in 1954. There would be al - until they could be assured of victory, so Fangio steadily fatter and fatter and became increasingly more Roberto Mieres (maserati) enveloping bodywork for fast circuits such as Reims was released to return to Maserati for the races in authoritarian and dictatorial. I thought quite often 5 Jack McGrath (kurtis kraft offenhauser) 4,14 Stirling Moss (maserati) and Monza, and open-wheelers for twistier tracks Argentina and Belgium, and he comfortably won them of Neubauer during the war: indeed, I could not help Onofre Marimón (maserati) 4 Robert Manzon (ferrari) such as Nürbürgring and Silverstone. To lead the in the new 250F. He sat in the Mercedes in Reims. thinking of him every time a German mechanised Sergio Mantovani (maserati) team, the funds were available to hire the best driver Historians noted that, to the day, it was the 40th column passed in front of my workshop and some 3 Prince Bira (maserati) 2 Umberto Maglioli (ferrari) in the world. Accordingly, a successful approach had anniversary of the domination of the French Grand officer or other alighted and started shouting orders. André Pilette (gordini) been made to Fangio. Lancia also decided to join the Prix at Lyons by the new, 4.5-litre, shaft-drive Mercedes In 1954, Alfred Neubauer tuned up once more at the Luigi Villoresi (maserati, lancia) Mike Nazaruk (kurtis kraft offenhauser) fray. The Italians lured the world’s other top driver, Grand Prix car, on 4th July 1914. And history head of a team of sleek silver cars. And he was fatter Elie Bayol (gordini) 1,5 Troy Ruttman (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Alberto Ascari, who had been complaining to Enzo repeated itself. The brand new W196 ‘streamliners’ and more dictatorial than ever. Year by year, I watched Duane Carter (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Ferrari about the Scuderia’s poor rates of pay. But the of Fangio and his teammate, the German Karl Kling, him grow stouter and stouter with increasing concern: 1,14 Alberto Ascari (maserati, ferrari, lancia) 0,14 Jean Behra (gordini) new Lancia was not ready until the end of the season, led virtually from start to finish. The authoritative he and Mercedes and Germany seemed to grow as though they were one, pound by pound, success by Argentine Onofre Marimón in a Maserati. Marimón in 1978), a new name arose – Stirling Moss. The Brit Race Pole Winner success, mark by mark. This unhalting progress could was killed during practice of the next race (German debuted in Formula 1 in 1951, but he was spotted even GP ARGENTINA Farina Fangio (3) not help making me think: ‘If Neubauer doesn’t stop Grand Prix in Nürbürgring), so his compatriots Fangio sooner than that by Enzo Ferrari. Enzo offered him GP INDIANAPOLIS McGrath Vukovich (19) putting on weight, it looks as though Germany is and González weren’t at their 100-percent. In fact, a factory seat for the 1952 season, but the following GP BELGIUM Fangio Fangio getting ready for another war.’” González, who led at the start, was so stricken with the happened: in September of 1951 Enzo invited him to GP FRANCE Fangio Fangio Despite a stunning win in France the Mercedes death of Marimón, he had to be replaced by Hawthorn a non-championship race in Bari, but the car that was GP GREAT BRITAIN Fangio González (2) team was beaten at the next round in Silverstone. The at his refuelling stop (Hawthorn’s own Ferrari had promised to him there, was given to Taruffi. Therefore GP GERMANY Fangio Fangio GP SWITZERLAND* González Fangio (2) Germans didn’t have enough time to prepare their broken its transmission). Moss never raced Ferraris in Formula 1. Back to Italy! GP ITALY Fangio Fangio open-wheelers, so Fangio and Kling could only manage Famgio won the championship in Switzerland, Moss already proved in Silverstone, when he was GP SPAIN Ascari Hawthorn (3) a 4th and 7th place. The race was won by González but in Italy, where a 14-year-old American Mario driving in second place for a long time in his white in a Ferrari ahead of his teammate Hawthorn and the Andretti stood as a spectator (he became champion Maserati, that he earned a factory seat in the Maserati Most wins Most pole positions 6 Fangio 5 Fangio 1 González 1 González »If Alfred Neubauer doesn’t stop putting on weight, it looks as Hawthorn Farina Vukovich McGrath though Germany is getting ready for another war.« Ascari 4 Mercedes 4 Mercedes ENZO FERRARI 2 Ferrari 3 Ferrari Maserati 1 Maserati team. Therefore from the German Grand Prix his car 1 Kurtis Kraft Kurtis Kraft was painted red, and in Italy he was leading all the way to 12 laps from the end, when his car broke down. At the last race in Spain Ascari’s Lancia was finally ready and it was clear from the start, that he would be a dangerous opponent with the new car. He put in on pole by more than a second ahead of Fangio in a Mercedes. Ascari then led the race, but had to retire with a broken clutch. Hawthorn won ahead of an amazing Italian youngster Luigi Musso, for whom this was to be only his third race. Fangio had problems with the car and was third. Two weeks after Barcelona, the Mercedes-Benz racing manager Alfred Neubauer, sent a telegram to Stirling Moss, offering him a seat alongside Fangio for the 1955 season. Moss flew to Germany to try the W196 at Hockenheim and, on a damp track, equalled the lap record. He signed with Mercedes for 1955. 1955 JUAN MANUEL FANGIO (Mercedes) The 1955 season promised a lot, especially if and a third of 4 points for third place. someone looked at the names of the factory teams. At the next race, Monaco Grand Prix, the The public expected different winners. Using a racing Frenchman Maurice Trintignant won ahead of vocabulary, the first row was made of Mercedes, Ferrari, Castellotti in a Lancia, but not without bad luck of the Maserati and Lancia, the second of Connaught and drivers in front of him. Fangio and Moss had to retire Vanwal , and the third of the French Gordini. In the early because of car failure, and in the lap he took over end Mercedes literary destroyed the opposition. the lead with his Lancia, Ascari plunged into the sea The first race of the season, like the year before, at the chicane. Gregor Grant of the Autosport wrote: was the Argentine Grand Prix. But this time the race “Ascari’s Lancia came through the tunnel faster than was run in extreme heat – the temperatures reached ever, and suddenly swerved sideways into the hale- a staggering 36 degrees Celsius. The competition bales, bounced off a stone bol ard and toppled into the was more than 3 hours long and many drivers were water, narrowly missing an anchored yacht. The car exhausted. While they were stopping for fuel, they disappeared in a cloud of spray and steam, and with it had to be replaced by their teammates. In the end, 2 went Ascari. Then, to our immense relief, a blue helmet or even 3 drivers drove one car. The organisers wrote popped up out of the water and the Italian was tearing STANDINGS 40 Juan Manuel Fangio (mercedes) down 16 different replacements, only the winner – the it off and striking out with a strong over-arm stroke. 23 Stirling Moss (mercedes) 43-year-old Argentine hero Fangio – drove the race all Frogmen rushed to his rescue, and he was pulled 12 Eugenio Castellotti (lancia, ferrari) 11,33 Maurice Trintignant (ferrari) by himself. “To be honest, I was completely exhausted Moss: “The heat was killing me, but not as much as the aboard a boat. After first aid, he was taken to hospital 10,33 Nino Farina (ferrari) 9 Piero Taruffi (ferrari, mercedes) in the closing stages of the race. I won only because track marshals and people in the ambulance thought. suffering from shock, bruises and a broken nose – 8 Bob Sweikert (kurtis kraft offenhauser) I stayed in the car. The cockpit was so hot, it burned They surrounded me instantly. Despite refusing, I fortunate to be alive at al .” 7 Roberto Mieres (maserati) 6 Jean Behra (maserati) my leg. To avoid passing out, I imagined I was lost in had to get into the ambulance. Only when we found Next Thursday Ascari came to Monza in a suit. He Luigi Musso (maserati) snow and had to continue if I didn’t want to freeze an interpreter, was I allowed to go.” Moss returned watched his compatriot Eugenio Castellotti testing 5 Karl Kling (mercedes) 4 Jimmy Davies (kurtis kraft offenhauser) to death. At some point, I thought I wasn’t going to to the pits, where the manager of his team Neubauer a 3-litre Ferrari, with which they were supposed to 3 Paul Russo (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Tony Bettenhausen (kurtis kraft offenhauser) make it, but I regained confidence and with it the will sluiced him down with cold water and sat him in the compete in an endurance race on Sunday. The sound Paul Frère (ferrari) to win… When it was over, they had to pull me out of third Mercedes of the Germans Hans Hermann and of the engine was too tempting for Ascari, who sat in Johnny Thomson (kuzma offenhauser) 2 José Froilàn González (ferrari) the car,” remembered Fangio, who started having heart Karl Kling. The trio finished in 4th place, behind the car. “I just want to make sure, if I am well enough Cesare Perdisa (maserati) problems after this competition. His teammate Stirling Fangio and two Ferraris: the first Ferrari was driven to race,” said the Italian and those were his last words. Luigi Villoresi (lancia, ferrari) Carlos Menditeguy (maserati) Moss was driving in second place in his first race for by González, Trintignant and Farina, and the second He lost control of the car in one of the corners and 1,33 Umberto Maglioli (ferrari) 1 Hans Hermann (mercedes) the German team, when fuel in his car evaporated and by – again – Farina and Trintignant, and the Italian tragically succumbed to his injuries. He was the second Bill Homeier (kurtis kraft offenhauser) the Brit had to stop alongside the track. Moss stepped Maglioli. You now know where Trintignant got the victim of the season – during practice for the Indy 500 Walt Faulkner (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Bill Vukovich (kurtis kraft offenhauser) out of the cockpit and lay down on the grass. Stirling 3.33 points: he got a third of 6 points for second place, the American Manny Ayullo was killed, and two weeks later, on the race itself, another driver was lost, this and was fastest in qualifying. On race day he had to Pierre Levegh, who occasionally drove in Formula Race Pole Winner time Ayullo’s compatriot Bill Vukovich. retire because of a broken gearbox, and a month later 1 races from the start of championship in 1950, GP ARGENTINA Gonzalez Fangio (3) Ascari’s death was the last blow for Lancia, for the Gianni Lancia gave away the whole racing program basically flew into the grandstand during the 24 hours GP MONACO Fangio Trintignant (9) factory had huge financial problems. At the Belgian to Enzo Ferrari. In the meantime the world saw the of Le Mans – he was killed together with more than GP INDIANAPOLIS Hoyt Sweikert (14) Grand Prix Castellotti drove a Lancia as a privateer biggest racing accident of all time. The Frenchman 80 spectators. The world public was outraged. They GP BELGIUM Castellotti Fangio (2) GP NETHERLANDS Fangio Fangio GP GREAT BRITAIN* Moss Moss GP ITALY Fangio Fangio »To be honest, I was completely exhausted in the closing stages of the Argentine Grand Prix. The cockpit Most wins Most pole positions 4 Fangio 3 Fangio 1 Moss 1 Moss was so hot, it burned my leg. To avoid passing out, I imagined I Trintingnant Castellotti Sweikert Gonzalez got lost in snow and had to continue if Hoyt I didn’t want to freeze to death. It worked, I won the race.« 5 Mercedes 4 Mercedes 1 Ferrari 1 Ferrari Kurtis Kraft Lancia JUAN MANUEL FANGIO Stevens cancelled races in France, Germany and Switzerland. The Mercedes board ordered their team in Le Mans to stop their cars, despite having them in the lead, for the Germans thought that kind of victory wouldn’t bring happiness to anyone. Even so, the last three races of the championship were all won by Mercedes cars, in fact, the team from Stuttgart celebrated a 1-2 finish every time. On the English track Aintree Stirling Moss celebrated his first win in Formula 1, and the Brits celebrated the first win of a British driver on home soil. At the same time Juan Manuel Fangio secured his third title there, and in the background of the starting grid of this race, the Australian Jack Brabham debuted in Formula 1 driving a Cooper-Bristol. Jack Brabham was later to become a three times world champion. Mercedes pulled out of the sport at the end of the season. The Stuttgart based team returned to full glory in the new millenium. 1956 JUAN MANUEL FANGIO (Ferrari) With Mercedes and Lancia out of the picture in col aboration between them ended at the end of the 1956, the starting grids of Formula 1 races looked a bit season. empty again. The only 2 rivals would become Ferrari The first race of the championship was in and Maserati, on occasion Vanwall joined the fight for Argentina again. And again Fangio won in front of highest places. his home crowd. Then Moss took over the initiative, Ferrari hired Juan Manuel Fangio as the leading leading the Monaco race from start to finish, with driver. The Scuderia also counted on the Brit Peter Peter Col ins taking over in Belgium and France. In the Col ins, the Italians Castellotti and Musso, the Spanish latter races, at least according to English writers, real aristocrat Alfonso de Portago, and the Belgians form was shown by the Vanwall racing cars, especially Olivier Gandebien and Paul Frère. Moss went back in France. There Harry Schell was increasingly to Maserati, where Behra stayed, and the two were threatening the leading trio of Fangio, Castellotti accompanied by González, Villoresi and Taruffi. Mike and Col ins in the closing stages of the race. Denis Hawthorn decided to give his patriotism a chance, so Jenkinson of the Motor Sport wrote: “The Ferrari STANDINGS he joined Vanwal , where he raced alongside the fast drivers had to work together, and they deliberately 30 Juan Manuel Fangio (ferrari) American Harry Schell. drove along the straights side-by-side to keep the green 27 Stirling Moss (maserati) 25 Peter Collins (ferrari) Vanwal ’s racing cars were helped designed by car from going by, for without any doubt it was quicker 22 Jean Behra (maserati) the British engineer Colin Chapman, who later on on maximum speed.” Nevertheless Schell managed to 8 Pat Flaherty (watson offenhauser) 7,5 Eugenio Castellotti (ferrari) won 13 titles with his team Lotus (7 of those 13 were were constructed by the famous Italian designer of fumble past both Col ins and Castellotti at the hairpin, 6 Sam Hanks (kurtis kraft offenhauser) Paul Frère (ferrari) constructor’s titles). Chapman even raced himself with Hungarian roots Vittorio Jano. In the 30’s, when he and tucked in behind Fangio. It was too good to last: Paco Godia (maserati) a Vanwall that year. It was at the French Grand Prix on was in charge of Ferrari’s Alfas, Jano also designed four-soon he was in the pits to mend a broken fuel-injection 5 Jack Fairman (connaught alta) 4 Luigi Musso (ferrari) the fast track in Reims, where he qualified a fantastic wheelers which were ahead of their time – back then it linkage, and he finished distant 10th. Mike Hawthorn (maserati, BRM, vanwall) fifth, ahead of Hawthorn, Behra and Moss. However, was the winning Alfas P3’s. Jano and Chapman are the For Enzo Ferrari the championship was over even Ron Flockhart (BRM, connaught alta) Don Freeland (phillips offenhauser) he wasn’t able to start the race because of an accident in only two constructors in the unofficial Formula 1 Hall before the last race in Monza, for only ‘his’ Fangio and 3 Alfonso de Portago (ferrari) Cesare Perdisa (maserati) practice – going into Thillois, he locked up his brakes of Fame. Col ins had theoretical chances of winning the title Harry Schell (vanwall, maserati) and slammed into Hawthorn. His car couldn’t be It has to be noted, that with the Lancia D50, which there. If Col ins wanted to clinch it, he had to win the Johnnie Parsons (kuzma offenhauser) 2 Louis Rosier (maserati) repaired in time for the race. The then 28-year-old Brit was first seen at the last race in 1954, the drivers of race and hope that Fangio wouldn’t finish higher than Luigi Villoresi (maserati) never again tried out as a Formula 1 driver, it was his the 1956 Scuderia team won 5 races out of 7 that they third and achieve the fastest lap of the race. But as it Horace Gould (maserati) Nano da Silva Ramos (gordini) first and last attempt. entered. But Enzo Ferrari couldn’t show his happiness turned out later, Col ins didn’t even care about the Olivier Gandebien (ferrari) Dick Rathmann (kurtis kraft offenhauser) It has to be mentioned that in 1956 team Ferrari to much, for Fangio constantly repeated: “Our title. 1,5 Gerino Gerini (maserati) used the excellent Lancias D50, which were given Ferraris are actually painted Lancias!” Juan Manuel From the start of this race in Monza, Ferrari Chico Landi (maserati) 1 Paul Russo (kurtis kraft novi) to Enzo Ferrari by Gianni Lancia. The winning cars and Enzo were too different to get along well, so the teammates Castellotti and Musso, bent on glory, rushed away to fight over the lead, slipstreaming each a broken steering arm. The mechanics rushed to fix old Col ins gave his car to Fangio all by himself. “It’s Race Pole Winner other down the straights and thundering wheel-to- the problem, but before he knew it, the Argentine was too early for me to win the championship. I want to GP ARGENTINA Fangio Fangio wheel around the bankings. Col ins drew alongside down by 4 laps. The team wanted to put Fangio into enjoy racing and life. All sorts of responsibilities come GP MONACO Fangio Moss (2) Fangio, pointing to their rapidly disappearing the car of Musso, who meanwhile battled through the along with the title, and I don’t want that at this time,” GP INDIANAPOLIS Flaherty Flaherty teammates, but the Argentine shook his head and field to second place, behind Moss in a Maserati. But explained Col ins, raising an eyebrow or two from GP BELGIUM Fangio Collins (3) wagged an admonishing finger. He knew better than the Italian, who was driving the race of his life, stared people around him. For it was true, that Moss and GP FRANCE Fangio Collins (3) anyone that this was one race that would not be won straight ahead during his pit-stop, stony-faced, and Musso were still ahead of him at that moment, but the GP GREAT BRITAIN Moss Fangio (2) GP GERMANY Fangio Fangio in the opening laps. He was right. First, Castellotti stormed back into the race. Fangio was now loosing the real drama of the Italian Grand Prix only just started to GP ITALY* Fangio Moss (6) smashed his Ferrari, then Musso had to pit because of championship because even though Col ins was driving unfold. The leading Moss ran out of fuel with 5 laps to troubles with his tyres. But even Fangio wasn’t lucky in the back, the Brit’s chances became bigger with each go. Stirling Moss: “I spotted (Luigi) Piotti, the Italian and had to make an unscheduled pit-stop because of lap. But to the amazement of everybody, the 25-year- Maserati privateer, coming up behind and gestured Most wins Most pole positions 3 Fangio 6 Fangio 2 Moss 1 Moss Collins Flaherty »It’s too early for me to become World Champion. I want to 1 Flaherty enjoy racing and life a little longer.« 5 Ferrari 6 Ferrari 2 Maserati 1 Maserati 1 Watson Watson PETER COLLINS frantically for him to give me a push towards the pits. He understood, offered up the nose of his car to the tail of mine, and punted me gently round to the pits.” Musso took over the lead, but with 3 laps to go he had to retire because of a broken steering. Moss won the race, after his mechanics quickly sloshed a few precious gallons of fuel into his Maserati. Fangio was second with Col ins’s car and secured him self a fourth title. Moss, who had actually led many more laps during the season, was once again the runner-up, three points behind. Simon Taylor, who arranged the 50’s in the book F1 – the autobiography, wrote: “Monza 1956 had been a race that epitomised a golden era in F1: a brave, flat-out battle between ambitious teammates; a young driver giving up the World Championship title for his team leader; and nobody protesting when the winner, in trouble, took advantage of a push from another car. Back then, F1 really was a sport.” 1957 JUAN MANUEL FANGIO (Maserati) All of the podium places (except for those in At the French Grand Prix in Rouen, where Juan Indianapolis) were divided between three teams. The Manuel Fangio won, Stirling Moss was missing with drivers of the Maserati team stood on the podium ten illness, but at the next race, the British Grand Prix, times, the drivers of Scuderia Ferrari seven times, and the world of Formula 1 witnessed the first win of a the drivers of Vanwall four times. Juan Manuel Fangio British car. Moss and his compatriot Tony Brooks and Stirling Moss (the latter drove a Maserati at the shared the green Vanwal , beat Musso in a Ferrari first race, and used the Vanwall racing cars from then with a margin of more than 25 seconds, and put the onwards) were – besides the American Sam Hanks, smile on the owner of the team Tony Vandervell. who won in Indianapolis – the only two winners of The latter actually came into Formula 1 only because the season. First time since 1950 team Ferrari hadn’t of a dispute with Enzo Ferrari. In the early 50’s won a Grand Prix race, to make things worse, they Vandervell bought 2 Ferraris, but constantly had to lost two drivers. First Eugenio Castellotti was killed bring the cars back to Modena for repairs, and there – the Italian had to break an unimportant lap record the Old Enzo constantly accused the Brit that he in Modena set by Jean Behra in a Maserati, fulfil a was deliberately sabotaging the cars, so he could sell seemingly strange wish of Ferrari's team leader Enzo the technology to the British project BRM. Ferrari. Then Alfonso Portago tragically succumbed to Juan Manuel Fangio’s first chance to win the title STANDINGS his injuries because of an accident at the famous Mille came in Germany – where he ‘only’ needed to win. 40 Juan Manuel Fangio (maserati) Miglia race, where he and his co-driver Ed Nelson adamant the front brakes had gone when I hit the He took it. But it wasn’t easy. With 9 laps to go he 25 Stirling Moss (maserati, vanwall) 16 Luigi Musso (ferrari) weren’t the only casualties, for nine other spectators pedal,” explained Stirling Moss. During this race team fell behind the leading Ferrari duo of Hawthorn and 13 Mike Hawthorn (ferrari) died. The accident had a huge affect on the Italian Cooper-Climax or better yet their driver Jack Brabham Col ins by 51 seconds. Everybody thought it was 11 Tony Brooks (vanwall) 10 Masten Gregory (maserati) public, even Vatican intervened and the famous race caught the eye of the public for the first time. The impossible for the Argentine to win the race, only Harry Schell (maserati) was banned. young Australian was driving in third place, when he Fangio himself didn’t share their opinion. He started 8 Sam Hanks (salih offenhauser) Peter Collins (ferrari) The first race of the season was the one in Buenos had to stop his car because of failure half a lap from taking corners in higher gears and drove like it was 7 Jim Rathmann (epperly offenhauser) 6 Jean Behra (maserati) Aires, where Juan Manuel Fangio won in a Maserati the chequered flag. Despite a sheared fuel pump drive his like race. At the beginning of the lap before last 5 Stuart Lewis-Evans (connaught alta, vanwall) 250F, with which he was already winning in 1954. he didn’t give up… Jack Brabham : “I pushed the thing he already overtook Col ins, a little later and a little Maurice Trintignant (ferrari) 4 Wolfgang von Trips (ferrari) The next competition was the Monaco Grand Prix through the tunnel, down to the chicane, up to the bit forcefully too he came by Hawthorn as well. Carlos Menditeguy (maserati) and at first, Moss was leading, but he ran off the Tabac corner and along the harbour side to finish Mike Hawthorn: “I’m sure the old devil would run Jimmy Bryan (kuzma offenhauser) 3 Paul Russo (kurtis kraft novi) track and broke his nose against the steering wheel. sixth – and last. The worst thing wasn’t so much the me over, if I hadn’t moved… But despite the loss of 2 Roy Salvadori (BRM, vanwall, cooper climax) Andy Linden (kurtis kraft offenhauser) “Approaching the chicane on lap four, I hit the brake exhaustion as losing third place. And the really scary places Col ins and I enjoyed every single moment of 1 Giorgio Scarlatti (maserati) pedal as normal, and I swear there was a system failure. part was pushing it through the tunnel with all those the race.” Juan Manuel Fangio: “Even before the start Alfonso de Portago (ferrari) José Froilàn Gonzalez (ferrari) The team said they could find no problem, but I am cars screaming past in the near darkness.” of the last lap I had to gain some advantage ahead of Hawthorn, for he could have sneaked behind me on and Col ins were ecstatic, as if they had been the able to go so fast again – ever.” And he didn’t. It was Race Pole Winner the long straight and use the slipstream to get into the winners. They never stopped congratulating me to be his last victory. With the success in Germany GP ARGENTINA Moss Fangio (2) lead again. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and in the and shaking me by the hand… That day I made such he secured him self a fifth title, a record which wasn’t GP MONACO Fangio Fangio last lap I drove fast enough for him not to come close… demands, I couldn’t sleep for 2 days. I had never broken until the era of Michael Schumacher almost GP INDIANAPOLIS O'Connor Hanks (13) When I managed to get to the podium Hawthorn driven as I drove then, but I also knew I’d never be 50 years later. In fact, the Argentine has a better GP FRANCE Fangio Fangio GP GREAT BRITAIN Moss Moss GP GERMANY* Fangio Fangio GP PESCARA Fangio Moss (2) »Hawthorn and Collins were ecstatic, as if they were the winners. GP ITALY Lewis-Evans Moss (2) They never stopped congratulating me and Most wins Most pole positions 4 Fangio 4 Fangio shaking my hand. That day I made such demands, I couldn’t 3 Moss 2 Moss 1 Hanks 1 Lewis-Evans sleep for 2 days. I had never driven as I drove then, O'Connor but I also knew I’d never be able to go so fast again - ever.« 4 Maserati 5 Maserati 3 Vanwall 2 Vanwall 1 Salih 1 Kurtis Kraft JUAN MANUEL FANGIO percentage of wins and pole positions per race than the German. The race before last of the season was the Pescara Grand Prix in Italy. It is one of a few races, which isn’t named after a state. The reason for that is that the FIA had 2 races on Italian soil, so one had to be named differently than Italian Grand Prix. The same ‘trick’ was used a few decades later, when the race in Italian Imola was named the San Marino Grand Prix. Pescara is the longest track ever used in Formula One Championship, with a little less than 26 kilometres it was run on roads, where the famous Mille Miglia was run. The race in 1957 was won by Moss ahead of Fangio (the same order was at last Grand Prix), and the competition became famous because of the fight between the spectators of over where one would get a free seat and where the other had to stand. 1958 MIKE HAWTHORN (Ferrari) In 1958 the FIA decided to crown the teams as car was the mid-engine). Moss didn’t have to make a well. The first constructor’s title was therefore won by pit-stop like all the others, because his 2-litre engine the British team Vanwal . The owner of the team Tony consumed less fuel than the 2.5-litre ones used by the Vanderwell finally got the better of Enzo Ferrari and majority of other drivers. At the end, he beat Luigi enjoyed the revenge. It could’ve been even sweeter, had Musso and Mike Hawthorn, who were driving Ferraris, it not been for Mike Hawthorn who won the driver’s Fangio was fourth. Within barely a couple of seasons, title in a Ferrari. Hawthorn won with just one Grand the front-engined car would disappear completely. Prix win and beat his compatriot Stirling Moss, who At the Monaco Grand Prix Bernie Ecclestone had 3 more. Many times in the history of Formula from Britain, the ‘Big Boss of Formula 1’ as he 1 the champion didn’t have most wins of the drivers was known decades later, debuted in Formula 1 at and many times the champion and the second driver the age of 27. But driving in a Connaught-Alta he in the points table shared equal amount of wins. For wasn’t able to qualify for the race. He tried his luck STANDINGS the constructor’s crown only the result of the highest again at the British Grand Prix, but again, it was an 42 Mike Hawthorn (ferrari) 41 Stirling Moss (cooper climax, vanwall) placed driver of a certain team in a single race counted. unsuccessful attempt. The Monaco race was won by 24 Tony Brooks (vanwall) This rule wasn’t banned all the way to the year 1979 Maurice Trintignant, again with the small Cooper- 15 Roy Salvadori (cooper climax) 14 Peter Collins (ferrari) and the FIA also decided that the race in Indianapolis Climax of Rob Walker (Cooper-Climax raced with Harry Schell (maserati, BRM) wouldn’t count for the constructor’s title. A new rule the factory team too). It was a somewhat lucky win 12 Maurice Trintignant (cooper climax, maserati, BRM) Luigi Musso (ferrari) that best 6 and no longer 5 results from races counted several noticeable rookies in 1958: the later two time for Trintignant, for in front of him the surprise leader 11 Stuart Lewis-Evans (vanwall) 9 Phil Hill (maserati, ferrari) for the crown and the point for the fastest lap of the world champion Graham Hill from Britain debuted Behra in a BRM had to retire, as well as Moss, who Jean Behra (maserati, BRM) race was rewarded only to the drivers and not teams. in a Lotus-Climax; with a Cooper-Climax the New meanwhile returned to Vanwal , and Hawthorn in a Wolfgang von Trips (ferrari) 8 Jimmy Bryan (salih offenhauser) There could no longer be replacements of the drivers Zealander Bruce McLaren, who would later establish Ferrari. 7 Juan Manuel Fangio (maserati) during the race, and the minimum race length was the McLaren team, stepped on the scene; and Phil Hill At the Dutch Grand Prix Moss led from start 6 George Amick (epperly offenhauser) 4 Johnny Boyd (kurtis kraft offenhauser) shortened from 500 to 300 kilometres or two hours. from USA, who would become champion 3 years later, to finish, but in Belgium his engine failed, so his Tony Bettenhausen (epperly offenhauser) 3 Jack Brabham (cooper climax) Methanol fuels were banned, replaced by 100/130 raced in a Maserati and a Ferrari. teammate Tony Brooks triumphed. In France, Cliff Allison (lotus climax, maserati) octane aviation spirit. Fuel consumption on AvGas The first race in Argentina saw Juan Manuel Fangio Hawthorn won from pole position, but he couldn’t Jo Bonnier (maserati, BRM) 2 Jim Rathmann (epperly offenhauser) was far more modest than on methanol, so tankage entering as a privateer with a Maserati, for the factory enjoy his win, because during the race his teammate TEAMS could have been reduced even without the cut in race team pulled out of the sport. He lead until the pit- Luigi Musso died. In the shadow of this tragedy, the 48 Vanwall distance. Under the new formula, cars could be smaller stops half way from the chequered flag and snitched 47-year old Fangio, who entered only his second race of 40 Ferrari 31 Cooper Climax and lighter. the fastest lap of the race as well, but everybody were the season, announced that the French Grand Prix, in 18 BRM Team Lotus entered the championship in this taken by surprise by Stirling Moss in a Cooper-Climax which he finished fourth, was his last race in Formula 6 Maserati 3 Lotus Climax season with the Climax engines. There were also owned by the privateer Rob Walker (the novelty of his 1… Juan Manuel Fangio: “Racing no longer gave me satisfaction, it had become an obligation. And when In Germany a new tragedy struck the Scuderia “During the race they hung out the signal HAW- Race Pole Winner racing begins to feel like work, well…” Hawthorn was Ferrari. Peter Col ins, who won in Britain, went too REC, meaning Hawthorn snatched the point for the GP ARGENTINA Fangio Moss (7) ready to overtake Fangio by a full lap, when he decided far with his ambition to catch the leading driver fastest lap of the race from me. But I understood the GP MONACO Brooks Trintignant (5) not do so out of respect. Mike Hawthorn: “I decided Tony Brooks in a Vanwal , flew off the track and died sign as HAW-REG, which meant that Hawthorn was GP NETHERLANDS Lewis-Evans Moss (2) to watch the Old Man instead. He still had his skills, instantly. maintaining a regular pace in second place and was no GP INDIANAPOLIS Rathmann Bryan (7) his placement of the car before entering a corner was, as In Portugal Moss won ahead of Hawthorn, but threat. This cost me the championship.” In Italy Moss GP BELGIUM Hawthorn Brooks (5) always, ideal. It was a real pleasure watching him.” despite the first place he was angry… Stirling Moss: had to retire and it looked like Hawthorn was going to GP FRANCE Hawthorn Hawthorn GP GREAT BRITAIN Moss Collins (6) GP GERMANY Hawthorn Brooks (2) GP PORTUGAL Moss Moss »During the race they hung out the signal HAW-REC, meaning GP ITALY Moss Brooks (2) GP MOROCCO* Hawthorn Moss (2) Hawthorn snatched the point for the fastest lap of the race from me. Most wins Most pole positions But I understand the sign as HAW-REG, so I slowed down. 4 Moss 4 Hawthorn 3 Brooks 3 Moss The mistake cost me the championship.« 1 Hawthorn 1 Brooks Collins Lewis-Evans Trintignant Fangio STIRLING MOSS Bryan Rathmann secure him self the championship with a fine win. 6 Vanwall 5 Vanwall But Moss’s teammate Tony Brooks stormed from the 2 Ferrari 4 Ferrari back and snitched the win from Hawthorn, meaning Cooper 1 Maserati that the title chase between Moss and Hawthorn 1 Salih Epperly would be decided at the very end – the Moroccan Grand Prix in Casablanca. To this day, in 2017, the race in Morocco remains the only Grand Prix held in North Africa! Moss had to win and snatch the fastest lap of the race, and he did so. He also had to hope that Hawthorn wouldn’t finish higher than third, but Phil Hill driving in second place let the Brit through and the title went to the Ferrari driver. Again, the race was tragic, for Stuart Lewis-Evans crashed into a tree in his Vanwal . The car was ablaze in seconds and the Brit sustained fatal burns. Vanwall therefore decided to pull out of the sport. Hawthorn did the same. But the Brit was killed just a few months later in a traffic accident. 1959 JACK BRABHAM (Cooper Climax) In 1958 the Formula 1 calendar expanded from At the Dutch Grand Prix Moss’s gearbox broke 8 to 11 races. Up to the year 2017, when these lines down again, and the race was won by the Swedish were written down, it was the biggest expansion and driver Jo Bonnier in a BRM. Bonnier, who was in it happened only once more, in 1973. But with the good form all weekend, for he was first in qualifying, five time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio now gave the BRM factory their first win. But one swallow in retirement, the Argentine Grand Prix was taken off does not make a spring, in fact, the British team had the calendar, they cancelled the Belgian Grand Prix to wait 3 years for another victory, it was to be at the due to financial problems, but added one more race Dutch Grand Prix again. on US soil. The last Grand Prix of the season was in At the French Grand Prix at Reims, the weather fact the USA Grand Prix held in Sebring. was tremendously hot, and melting tar meant that Just like the year before, the results from the the circuit was breaking up. Drivers were exhausted, Indy 500 race didn’t count for the constructor’s title, cut and bleeding from the flying stones. Every driver which meant that all the teams from this competition dealt with the heat in his own way. Brooks tried to (Watson, Lesovsky, Epperly, Kurtis Kraft, Kuzma get fresh air by leaning his head over the side of the etc.; most of these teams used Offenhauser engines) cockpit. Phil Hill was virtually standing up in the STANDINGS 31 Jack Brabham (cooper climax) would pull the shorter end of the stick. Together with cockpit, and Brabham at first had his elbows over 27 Tony Brooks (ferrari, vanwall) the teams in Indianapolis 26 competed in Formula the cockpit sides trying to deflect air on himself, but 25,5 Stirling Moss (cooper climax, BRM) 20 Phil Hill (ferrari) 1 (without the American ones 14), and lots of them, drove a Vanwall at his home Grand Prix in Silverstone, when he started col apsing at the wheel, he broke the 19 Maurice Trintignant (cooper climax) 16,5 Bruce McLaren (cooper climax) including such automobile brands as Porsche, Aston for strikes in Italy prevented Ferrari the trip to Britain. windscreen. Meanwhile, Moss had other troubles, for 13 Dan Gurney (ferrari) Martin, Connaught-Alta and Maserati, hadn’t scored Stirling Moss decided to race with the Cooper-Climax he spun. His clutch had failed, so the engine died. He 10 Jo Bonnier (BRM) Masten Gregory (cooper climax) a single point. This was also the last year they gave of the privateer Rob Walker, but gearbox problems pushed the racing car to get it started, but he fainted. 8 Rodger Ward (watson offenhauser, kurtis kraft offenhauser) away points for the fastest lap of the race. forced him to race in a BRM racing car for the races in He knew he was going to be disqualified, if he would 6 Jim Rathmann (watson offenhauser) 5 Johnny Thomson (lesovsky offenhauser) Team Cooper-Climax je improved their racing France and Britain. to accept help from others, but he didn’t want to bake Harry Schell (BRM, cooper climax) Innes Ireland (lotus climax) car with a 2.5-litre engine and literary overnight the In Monaco Stirling Moss, who got rid of the fast in the heat, so he took it and drove back to the pits. 3 Olivier Gandebien (ferrari) drivers of the team Jack Brabham, Bruce Mclaren and Jean Behra in a Ferrari, led with a margin of over a During his troubles hay bales caught fire, so some Tony Bettenhausen (epperly offenhauser) 2 Cliff Allison (ferrari) the American Masten Gregory became competitive minute on lap 81, but had to retire with a broken journalists looking at the distant smoke rushed to Jean Behra (ferrari, porsche) and could count on winning the championship. gearbox. Jack Brabham therefore won with ease in his report that Moss narrowly escaped death. Meanwhile Paul Goldsmith (epperly offenhauser) With the withdrawal of Vanwal , the British driver Cooper-Climax, especially because Tony Brooks, who the Brit Ron Flockhart had his goggles broken and TEAMS 40 Cooper Climax Tony Brooks, forced to find a seat elsewhere, went to was down by twenty seconds, wasn’t in condition to took them off, only to collect another stone in the 32 Ferrari Ferrari. He joined Phil Hill, Jean Behra, Cliff Al ison attack – the British driver inhaled too much exhaust eye, and he raced on in a bloody state, while McLaren 18 BRM 5 Lotus Climax from Britain and Dan Gurney. Despite this Brooks fumes and vomited in the cockpit of his Ferrari! was also badly cut. Phil Hill was in a terrible state, his judgement for braking having gone completely, and stones. The mixture of sweat and blood in my goggles Borgward, and set the fastest lap at an average of over Race Pole Winner he overshot, spun and went sideways on the hairpins was like pink champagne. At the finish line I took off 121 mph. GP MONACO Moss Brabham (3) nearly every lap, driving in a wild daze. Jack Brabham: my helmet and cried my eyes out. I don’t know why, On the German track Avus Jean Behra was GP INDIANAPOLIS Thomson Ward (6) “Every car I got near showered me with bricks and but I wept uncontrol ably for several minutes.” This tragically killed using a Porsche, after he got fired GP NETHERLANDS Bonnier Bonnier stones. I was coasting into the corners rather than extraordinary Grand Prix, which had lasted over two from team Ferrari at the French Grand Prix. And in GP FRANCE Brooks Brooks braking, because my feet were so badly burned I could hours in that baking heat, was almost immediately Portugal Jack Brabham narrowly escaped death itself. GP GREAT BRITAIN Brabham Brabham hardly put any pressure on the pedals. At the end, I followed by an hour-long Formula 2 race. Having He came up to lap local driver Mario Cabral entering GP GERMANY Brooks Brooks GP PORTUGAL Moss Moss had to be lifted out of the car.” His teammate Bruce paused only to clean up their bleeding faces and soak a 130 mph right-hander when the Portuguese moved GP ITALY Moss Moss McLaren, who had only driven his fourth race in themselves with cold water, half the Formula 1 drivers across him. Brabham was forced off the track and his GP USA* Moss McLaren (10) Formula 1, and finished it in fifth place, added of this took part, including Brabham and McLaren. The car took off over the straw bales, felled a telegraph chaotic race: “I took a frightful battering from flying irrepressible Moss won it in Rob Walker’s Cooper-pole and rolled back onto the track, throwing the Most wins Most pole positions 2 Brabham 4 Moss Brooks 2 Brooks »I took off my helmet and started crying. Moss 1 Brabham 1 McLaren Bonnier I don’t know why, but I wept uncontrollably for several minutes.« Bonnier Thomson Ward BRUCE McLAREN 5 Cooper 5 Cooper 2 Ferrari 2 Ferrari Australian out into the middle of the tarmac, where 1 BRM 1 BRM Masten Gregory’s car just missed him. Watson Lesovsky In USA three drivers had a chance to win the title – Brabham, Moss and Brooks. In case of victory and a point for the fastest lap they would have 36, 34 and a half and 32 points. Moss’s gearbox failed after only 6 laps and his chances were gone. Brooks was also unlucky, having been struck by his teammate Wolfgang von Trips from Germany soon after the start. The Brit had to pit, where he lost a lot of time, so his chances of evaporated too. The race was won by Bruce McLaren at the age of 22 years and 3 months, becoming the youngest winner of Formula 1 (this record was broken in 2003 when Alonso won in Hungary). Maurice Trintignant finished second in his Cooper, third place went to Brooks, and fourth was Brabham who would become champion even without this result. 1960 JACK BRABHAM (Cooper Climax) This was the year the Indy 500 race counted for gathered at the sight of his accident. To speed up the the championship for the last time. The year before, arrival of an ambulance, Mike Taylor in a Lotus was Jerry Unser and Bob Cortner were killed there, the sent to the pits. But he disappeared at La Carrière latter being the seventh victim at the infamous oval corner without others knowing about it. The British in less than a decade. But there were no casualties in driver Innes Ireland, who race for Lotus, said: “Mike 1960. Jim Rathmann won in a Watson-Offenhauser. Taylor was in the prototype Lotus I had raced in It’s interesting that the Formula 1 drivers started Argentina and the early-season races and he had gone attending the race in bigger numbers only after its off the road on a fast, 130mph corner. Instead of STANDINGS 43 Jack Brabham (cooper climax) removal from the calendar. The two time world taking the right-hand curve as he meant to do, he just 34 Bruce McLaren (cooper climax) champion Graham Hill (1962, 1968) won in went sailing straight on. How he was not killed, I can’t 19 Stirling Moss (cooper climax, scarab, lotus climax) 18 Innes Ireland (lotus climax) Indianapolis in 1966. Jim Clark, also a double world imagine. The car went across a damned great ditch, 16 Phil Hill (ferrari, cooper climax) champion (1963, 1965), was the winner the year shot into the air, hit a tree which was completely 10 Olivier Gandebien (cooper climax) Wolfgang von Trips (ferrari, cooper maserati) before. Clark debuted in Formula 1 in this season, uprooted, and finished up smacking into another 8 Jim Rathmann (watson offenhauser) Richie Ginther (ferrari, scarab) 1960 that is. It was at the Dutch Grand Prix where tree. Somehow or other he came out of it with only Jim Clark (lotus climax) another driver who would become champion debuted. a few broken bones, although he had a neck injury 7 Tony Brooks (cooper climax, vanwall) 6 John Surtees (lotus climax) It was his compatriot John Surtees who raced in the which gave him trouble for some months after. When Cliff Allison (ferrari) motorcycle championship and won 4 titles there. I visited him in hospital he said: ‘The steering broke. I Rodger Ward (watson offenhauser) 4 Graham Hill (BRM) Surtees first raced in Formula 1 at the Monaco Grand fastest in a Cooper of the privateer Rob Walker. Moss turned the wheel and nothing happened.’ The steering Willy Mairesse (ferrari) Paul Goldsmith (epperly offenhauser) Prix and became champion in 1964. was kind enough to allow Brabham a practice run column had sheared off and I must say it gave me a Jo Bonnier (BRM) In 1960 six best results from races counted for the in his Cooper on the understanding, of course, that few uncomfortable moments when I realised how long 3 Henry Taylor (cooper climax) Giulio Cabianca (cooper castellotti) championship. The novelty was a point for the sixth there would not be any fireworks. McLaren contended I had been driving the car.” Then the British driver Don Branson (phillips offenhauser) place in a race. himself with a two-hour walk round the circuit, only Chris Bristow was killed, after loosing control of his Carlos Menditeguy (cooper maserati) 2 Johnny Thomson (lesovsky offenhauser) Cooper-Climax, the team of John Cooper and to find later that he had been walking round the Cooper-Climax. Bristow’s accident was described in 1 Lucien Bianchi (cooper climax) Ron Flockhart (lotus climax, cooper climax) his son Charles dominated the Grand Prix scene – motorcycle circuit. detail by Clark, who drove behind the Brit. Jim Clark: Eddie Johnson (trevis offenhauser) especially because of Brabham’s incredible knowledge In Monaco Moss won with Walker’s Lotus, but at “The car rolled over and over. I saw a marshal suddenly Hans Hermann (porsche) of Formula 1 engineering. Not without problems. For the Dutch Grand Prix Brabham was fastest. dash out on to the road waving his arms and trying to TEAMS the first race of the season in Argentina, the Cooper The weekend in Belgium followed, historians stop me, and the next thing I saw was another marshal 48 Cooper Climax 34 Lotus Climax and Lotus drivers were forced to sit out practice named it the worst Grand Prix weekend in Formula run from the side of the road. I remember thinking: 26 Ferrari 8 BRM because the Blue Star Line’s Scottish Star had been 1. First, Moss had an accident, when his left rear ‘Where is he going?’ And then he bent down and 3 Cooper Maserati delayed by engine trouble, and was being towed into tyre came off at 230kph. He broke his nose, three grabbed this thing by the side of the road. It looked Cooper Castellotti 1 Porsche Buenos Aires harbour. Stirling Moss was therefore vertebrae, several ribs and both legs. Numerous cars just like a rag dol . It was horrible and I’ll never forget the sight of this mangled body being dragged to the Jack Brabham: “Alan was apparently hit in the face stop racing then and there. Jim Clark: “I had only Race Pole Winner side. I remember at the end of the race finding that by a bird, lost control of the car which hit a bank and known Alan for a year. He had tremendous guts, for GP ARGENTINA Moss McLaren (13) my car was spattered with blood.” But the tragic caught fire. Alan was thrown out and killed instantly very few people knew that Alan had only one leg. His GP MONACO Moss Moss weekend wasn’t over yet. In the closing stages of the and the car careered across the field on fire.” Clark right leg was amputated below the knee in a childhood GP INDIANAPOLIS Sachs Rathmann (4) race another Brit died, it was Alan Stacey in a Lotus. later said, had he seen Alan’s accident too, he would motorbike accident, and he had an artificial leg. But GP NETHERLANDS Moss Brabham (2) GP BELGIUM Brabham Brabham GP FRANCE Brabham Brabham GP GREAT BRITAIN Brabham Brabham »Alan was apparently hit in the face by a GP PORTUGAL* Surtess Brabham (3) GP ITALY P. Hill P. Hill bird, lost control of the car which hit a bank and caught fire. Alan GP USA Moss Moss was thrown out and killed instantly Most wins Most pole positions 5 Brabham 4 Moss and the car careered across the field on fire. 2 Moss 3 Brabham 1 McLaren 1 P. Hill It must have been an awful sight.« P. Hill Surtees Rathmann Sachs JACK BRABHAM 6 Cooper 4 Cooper 2 Lotus Lotus that didn’t stop his wish of becoming a Formula 1 1 Ferrari 1 Ferrari driver. We helped him with hoodwinking the doctors Watson Ewing at the compulsory check-ups, which were insisted on before races by the organisers. When it came round to the knee reflex test, he would cross his left leg over his artificial one. The doctor would tap it and find it satisfactory. At this point one of us – usually Innes Ireland – would ask some pointless questions to distract the doctor’s attention, so that Alan could perform a clever little shuffle which still left his good leg uppermost.” Brabham won the title in Portugal where – surprisingly – Moss already raced. Five weeks after his crash Moss broke the lap record in Silverstone. Two weeks on he won a non-championship race in Sweeden and at the last race in USA he won again. In Italy Brabham, McLaren, Moss and Ireland were missing, so it was an easy win for Phil Hill in a Ferrari. 1961 PHIL HILL (Ferrari) With the removal of Indy 500 from the Grand Baghetti got the chance at Scuderia after wining two Prix calendar the number of drivers in a season non-championship races, but after the famous win in drastically fell. In 1960 almost 90 drivers competed France he never again stepped on the highest step of in Formula 1, in 1961 there were ‘only’ 53. In the the podium. following years or better yet decades the number On the German track Nürbürbring, where varied from 30 to 60 drivers. But from 1996 onwards, Formula 1 celebrated 100th Grand Prix since 1950, when the safety of the cars was at a far bigger level Moss won in Walker’s Lotus in front of 200 thousand and the drivers barely hurt them selves, let alone died, spectators. It was to be his last win. Stirling Moss: “It is Formula 1 didn’t have more than 30 drivers per a a fine thing to win, but, of course, racing is dangerous, season – a smaller number is also a consequence of a particularly at places like the Nürbürgring. I like it smaller number of teams and cars per team. that way. Without danger there wouldn’t be any point In 1961 the winner of the race got 9 and no more to it. It would be just a game that anyone could play. 8 points. The capacity of the engine was reduced to a It would be like climbing a mountain with a net ready 1.5-litre one, and Ferrari manufactured an excellent to catch you if you fell. Racing’s a gamble. I like to one capable of 190bhp, so other teams had no chances gamble, to bet I can do something no one else can do.” STANDINGS what so ever. Moss’s Climax engine in the Lotus The championship was decided in Italy, it was 34 Phil Hill (ferrari) could only manage 150bhp, so even the Brit – with one of the most tragic Grand Prix races in Formula 33 Wolfgang von Trips (ferrari) 21 Stirling Moss (lotus climax, cooper climax, ferguson climax) his excellent driving capabilities – couldn’t (always) to the team plan. The problem was that there was no 1 history. Wolfgang von Trips, the leading driver of Dan Gurney (porsche) 16 Richie Ginther (ferrari) be as fast as the Ferrari drivers. Porsche on the other Ferrari team plan… Phil Hill: “You could never really the championship, got tangled up in a crash with Jim 12 Innes Ireland (lotus climax) hand had experiences in making smaller engines and relax with Ferrari, because there was always someone Clark, consequently loosing control of his Ferrari and 11 Jim Clark (lotus climax) Bruce McLaren (cooper climax) after only 6 Grand Prix races entered in the last three who wanted to see you screw up. The drivers argued ending up in the crowd. He died instantly alongside 9 Giancarlo Baghetti (ferrari) seasons suddenly became a dangerous contender. with the engineers, and the team manager argued 11 spectators, 3 more succumbed to their injuries a 6 Tony Brooks (BRM climax) 4 Jack Brabham (cooper climax) The season began in Monaco. Moss, who won the with the drivers, and the mechanics argued with few days later. Phil Hill won the race and secured him John Surtees (cooper climax) 3 Jackie Lewis (cooper climax) race, asked his mechanics to remove the bodywork everybody.” At the French Grand Prix in Reims Phil self the championship as well, for Moss as the third Olivier Gandebien (emeryson maserati, ferrari, lotus climax) side panels to allow more air into the cockpit to Hill, who was leading the championship, had to let candidate failed to finish this tragic Grand Prix. In the Jo Bonnier (porsche) Graham Hill (BRM climax) cool him. Rob Walker: “Apparently he had tried this his lead over to his teammate Wolfgang von Trips, shadow of this black day the young, barely 19-year-old 2 Roy Salvadori (cooper climax) during a very hot race on the Tasman Series and it and the American wasn’t happy with this team order. Mexican Ricardo Rodriguez raced with a Ferrari in his TEAMS had worked very well. I was rather worried that it But Trips’s engine blew. Hill was now leading, only first Grand Prix, qualifying an amazing second. Phil 40 Ferrari 32 Lotus Climax would infringe some regulations or other.” Phil Hill to spun, which resulted in a stalled engine. So the Hill: “Rodriguez? He’s damn brave, that’s all I can say. 22 Porsche was on pole position in Spa, and it seemed logical young and promising Italian Giancarlo Baghetti in I know he’s a skilled driver, you understand, but to do 14 Cooper Climax 7 BRM Climax that he would be allowed to win if all went according a Ferrari won in his first race as a Formula 1 driver. the things he’s doing, you’ve got to be way out, and if he lives, I’ll be surprised.” Rodriguez was killed a year When Enzo Ferrari withdrew from the final Ferrari to send one car for me, but he wouldn’t Race Pole Winner later at a non-championship race in Mexico, while race of the season, as a mark of respect for his fallen budge because he had his championship in the bag. GP MONACO Moss Moss driving a Lotus. With 20 years, 8 months and 11 days driver von Trips, it meant that Phil Hill was denied an He met the press with several days’ growth of beard GP NETHERLANDS P. Hill von Trips (2) he became the youngest fatality in Formula 1 up to opportunity to race in front of his home crowd as the and looking distraught and grief-stricken. I went to GP BELGIUM P. Hill P. Hill season 2017, when these line are written down. new world champion. Phil Hill: “I tried to persuade Wathins Glen, of course, but I was just driven round GP FRANCE P. Hill Baghetti (12) GP GREAT BRITAIN P. Hill von Trips (4) GP GERMANY P. Hill Moss (3) GP ITALY* von Trips P. Hill (4) »It is a fine thing to win, but, of course, racing is dangerous. GP USA Brabham Ireland (8) I like it that way. Without danger there wouldn’t Most wins Most pole positions 2 P. Hill 5 P. Hill be any point to it. It would be just a game that anybody could von Trips 1 von Trips Moss Moss play. It would be like climbing a mountaing with a net 1 Ireland Brabham Baghetti ready to catch you if you fall.« 5 Ferrari 6 Ferrari 3 Lotus 1 Lotus STIRLING MOSS Cooper on a lap of honour on the back of a convertible.” The United States Grand Prix was won by Innes Ireland, mainly because other drivers had bad luck (Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss failed to finish the race). It was to be the first win for the factory team Lotus and this delighted Colin Chapman. Also, it was a debut race for the American driver Roger Penske in a Cooper-Climax. He qualified sixteenth, and was eighth at the end. This was Penske’s first try in Formula 1, he gave it a shot once more a year later, also at the US Grand Prix (that time he drove a Lotus-Climax). In the 70’s Penske tried his luck in Formula 1 with his own team, but his successes were much bigger in domestic championships such as IRL (Indy Racing League), ALMS (American Le Mans series) and NASCAR. Penske Racing won the Indy 500 race on numerous occasions. 1962 GRAHAM HILL (BRM) BRM team owner Sir Alfred Owen had decreed the polished floor. I arrived at the door at the end and that, if it failed to win a Grand Prix during the season, suddenly the door swings open and it’s Princess Grace. the team would be disbanded. Happily, the team BRM Talk about embarrassment! The boys all nearly fell in (British Racing Motors) won four of the nine Grand heap behind me, but she took it all well.” Prix races and with the help of its driver Graham Hill At this point, the two Hills were sharing the lead both titles. in the world championship. But the defending world There were changes elsewhere as well. The then two champion was beginning to question the wisdom time world champion Jack Brabham left the Cooper- of continuing in his profession, especially given the Climax team to form his own, which later not only particular pressures facing a Ferrari driver. Phil Hill: won races, but titles as well. “They think I should go out there in an inferior car Stirling Moss was finally ready to try his luck and sacrifice myself to the honour and glory of Ferrari. in a Ferrari, for the Old Enzo agreed to provide the There have been too many sacrifices already, I won’t be STANDINGS improved cars of the 1961 season to Rob Walker’s another. I won’t be one of their sacrifices.” 42 Graham Hill (BRM) 30 Jim Clark (lotus climax) privately owned team. But the British driver never sat In Belgium Jim Clark won his first Formula 1 race. 27 Bruce McLaren (cooper climax) behind the wheel of the red car, for he had a terrible He remains the only world champion to have driven 19 John Surtees (lola climax) 15 Dan Gurney (porsche, lotus BRM) accident at a non-championship race before the season. in one team only (Lotus) – at least up to the year 2017 14 Phil Hill (ferrari, porsche) Moss suffered a double fracture of the left leg, broken when these lines are written down. 13 Tony Maggs (cooper climax) 10 Richie Ginther (BRM) left arm, crushed eye socket and cheekbone, and his podium. He was looking good in Monaco as well, just In France the American Dan Gurney gave Porsche 9 Jack Brabham (lotus climax, brabham climax) 6 Trevor Taylor (lotus climax) right side of his brain had physically detached from his like Jim Clark in a Lotus, but both had car problems, their first win after Graham Hill, who was in the lead, 5 Giancarlo Baghetti (ferrari) skull because of a sudden deceleration from 120mph so Bruce McLaren took the win in a Cooper-Climax. had car problems. 4 Lorenzo Bandini (ferrari) Ricardo Rodriguez (ferrari) to naught in perhaps 3 seconds, putting him in a coma, McLaren’s wife Patty later recalled: “I remember going In Great Britain Clark won again and it was a 3 Willy Mairesse (ferrari) from which he didn’t wake up until 38 days had past. to the palace after Bruce had won. The winners were comfortable win because his margin to the next driver, Jo Bonnier (porsche) 2 Innes Ireland (lotus climax) After this accident, one of the best drivers never to always invited to this amazing cocktail party. A crowd like in Belgium, almost reached a full minute. Carel Godin de Beaufort (porsche) 1 Masten Gregory (lotus climax, lotus BRM) win the championship – as journalists wrote over and of us went together including Bette and Graham The next race in Germany brought excitement Neville Lederle (lotus climax) over again – never sat in a Formula 1 car again. He (Hill), Bruce and myself. We were running slightly late, from the start of practice when the Dutch privateer, TEAMS won 16 races, had the same amount of pole positions, and we arrived at the wonderful palace and there was Count Carel Godin de Beaufort, set off with a TV 42 BRM was runner up to the champion on 4 occasions, and a corridor that you couldn’t see the end of, it looked camera mounted on the back of his Porsche. Denis 36 Lotus Climax 29 Cooper Climax finished third on 3 more. like it was half a mile long with this polished, polished Jenkinson: “Going down the deep descent into 19 Lola Climax 18 Porsche The first race of the season was the Dutch Grand floor, and I’m walking very sedately trying to hurry Fuchrohre, the camera mounting broke loose and Ferrari Prix. There Graham Hill, after 4 years of racing in them along. I think we’d probably had a few drinks at the TV camera fell off de Beaufort’s Porsche, he not 6 Brabham Climax 1 Lotus BRM Formula 1, finally stepped on the highest step of the the hotel after the win and the boys started skating on realising it immediately. Soon after, Graham Hill came charging down the hill at 140mph, through the following and slowed, realising something was amiss, (Lotus) and John Surtees (Lola) across the front row Race Pole Winner gentle ess-bend, to find this large object lying in the but his team-mate, Tony Maggs from South African (front rows changed through history from the 4-4-4… GP NETHERLANDS Surtees Hill (2) road. There was no possible hope of avoiding it and, as Republic, arrived with no prior warning and replicated system and 3-2-3-2... in straight lines to the now well GP MONACO Clark McLaren (3) the BRM ran over it, the oil radiator and pipes were Hill’s pirouettes. For the sake of getting a few feet of known zigzag 2-2-2…). Clark made a bad start, but GP BELGIUM Hill Clark (12) ripped off and the oil poured out onto the road and bad film, two drivers’ lives had been risked and two cars he compensated this by overtaking 17 cars in the first GP FRANCE Clark Gurney (6) the car’s rear tyres, and Hill found himself spinning demolished.” Luckily, the two drivers weren’t injured lap. Hill, Surtees and Gurney – they were separated by GP GREAT BRITAIN Clark Clark through the bushes and trees. By a miracle, the car and could compete in the race, which was delayed by 4.4 seconds at the finish line – were leading the race in GP GERMANY Gurney Hill (2) GP ITALY Clark Hill (2) stayed upright, even though the right-hand rear wheels an hour due to heavy rain. Dan Gurney was on pole appal ing conditions, with Clark closing at a rate which GP USA Clark Clark and suspension was ripped off. Bruce McLaren was in his Porsche, with Graham Hill (BRM), Jim Clark became beyond even his considerable abilities. Denis GP SOUTH AFRICA* Clark Hill (2) »They think I should go out there in an inferior car and sacrifice Most wins Most pole positions 4 Hill 6 Clark 3 Clark 1 Hill myself to the honour and glory of Ferrari. There have been 1 McLaren Surtees Gurney Gurney too many sacrifices already. I won’t be another.« 4 BRM 6 Lotus 3 Lotus 1 BRM PHIL HILL 1 Cooper Lola Porsche Porsche Jenkinson: “Clark’s driving was almost unbearable to watch. Time and again he was in almost uncontrol able slides on the wet and slippery surface, but always he was the master of the situation, until on his 11th lap when got into two really big slides in fifth gear, and he was lucky to get away with them. He decided to ease off and settle for a very firm and well-won fourth place.” The Grand Prix in the South African Republic was the last race of the season, held on 29th December. Never before and never again was a Grand Prix held that late in the year. Compatriots Graham Hill (in the BRM) and Jim Clark (in the Lotus) were fighting it out for the title. Jim Clark was leading the race with a comfortable margin of almost half a minute in front of everybody else. But due to problems with the oil pressure he had to retire and the crown went to Graham Hill. 1963 JIM CLARK (Lotus Climax) With Porsche having withdrawn at the end of In Belgium Clark won with a staggering margin of 1962, Dan Gurney moved to Jack Brabham’s team for 5 minutes… Denis Jenkinson: “When the art of high- the 1963 season, while Phil Hill had grown tired of the speed driving is being demonstrated to its fullest, and if politics at Ferrari and now joined a defection of several the driver happens to be one of the top names in Grand personnel, to form the new ATS team. Young New Prix racing – such as Jimmy Clark – then one’s cup of Zealander Chris Amon, who later became one of the pleasure as a spectator is full to overflowing… In these best drivers not to win a single Grand Prix race, signed days of apparent safety and security all around us, with to race Reg Parnell’s Lola in place of John Surtees, who ‘civilisation’ blinding us into a state of almost lethargic replaced Hill at Ferrari. torpor, it is a wonderful sight to see a man, by his own The season was a runaway for Jim Clark, for the choosing, do something that is really stretching the Lotus driver won 7 of the 10 races in the calendar. safety factor to the limit; deliberately flirting with The only two drivers to win in this season were his danger for no real gain other than his own personal compatriots Graham Hill and John Surtees. The latter satisfaction. To see this happening a few feet away from STANDINGS was a giant in the sport. He had already won four me at anything up to 150mph is a wonderful sight.” 54 Jim Clark (lotus climax) World Motorcycle Championships for MV-Agusta At the German Grand Prix, where they had both 29 Graham Hill (BRM) Richie Ginther (BRM) (1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960) and was much loved won magnificently in the past, Juan Manuel Fangio 22 John Surtees (ferrari) in Italy. His effortless transfer to four-wheeled racing and Stirling Moss were interested spectators. They saw 19 Dan Gurney (brabham climax) 17 Bruce McLaren (cooper climax) had been accomplished by only a few men – before the end of 1960. I wasn’t very happy with the political a succession of accidents, the first one being the one 14 Jack Brabham (lotus climax, brabham climax) 9 Tony Maggs (cooper climax) WW2 by Nuvolari, Rosemeyer and Varzi, and after scene there. And frankly, I realised I didn’t really of the Belgian driver Willy Mairesse. Mairesse was 6 Innes Ireland (lotus BRM, BRP BRM) it by the 1961 motorcycle champion Gary Hocking know enough about car racing. By this stage, I’d only making his first appearance for Ferrari after a serious Lorenzo Bandini (BRM, ferrari) Jo Bonnier (cooper climax) (the Rhodesian was killed a year later in a Lotus during done four GPs, a couple of Formula 2 races and three accident at Le Mans. The brave foolhardy Belgian 3 Gerhard Mitter (porsche) practice for the non-championship race in South Formula Junior events. I decided then not to go into a was soon back in hospital, crashing at the Flugplatz Jim Hall (lotus BRM) 2 Carel Godin de Beaufort (porsche) African Republic) and four time consecutive champion hornet’s nest like that at the time without some sort of and smashing his arm so badly that he never drove a 1 Jo Siffert (lotus BRM) Trevor Taylor (lotus climax) Mike Hailwood from Britain (he was first from 1962 knowledge, so I didn’t accept the offer until 1963.” Formula 1 car again. A flying wheel from his Ferrari Ludovico Scarfiotti (ferrari) to 1965). The first race of the season was in Monaco and killed a track marshal. This happened a year before in TEAMS That Surtees was instantaneously a contender on the streets of Monte Carlo the reigning world Monaco, and later too, the last times in 2000 in Italy 54 Lotus Climax against the best in the business bordered on the champion Graham Hill won in a BRM. This was the and in 2001 in Australia. In Germany Chris Amon 36 BRM 28 Brabham Climax miraculous. In Britain they called him ‘Big John’ in beginning of a series of wins for the British driver in crashed his Parnell Lola when the steering broke, and 26 Ferrari 25 Cooper Climax deference not to his physique, but to his heart. And in Monaco – with 5 wins there he was a record holder all fellow Kiwi Bruce McLaren crashed heavily in his 6 BRP BRM Italy he was known as ‘The Son of the Wind’… John the way to the year 1993, when Ayrton Senna da Silva Cooper in an unexplained accident. Bruce McLaren. 5 Porsche 4 Lotus BRM Surtees: “I was originally asked out to Maranello at from Brazil won his sixth race in the Principality. “I had been a little sceptical when Stirling Moss woke from his Goodwood accident and said: ‘if you told be. I woke up in Adenau hospital, not far from the to, or surrounding the accident. I must have banged Race Pole Winner me I’d been hit by a bus, old man, I’d have believed Nürbürgring, and only logic told me I must have gone my head somewhere, as I was out cold for about an GP MONACO Clark Hill (2) you.’ I thought he must have had some recollection off the track somewhere. How, when or where I had hour. It seems that the mind conveniently whitewashes GP BELGIUM Hill Clark (8) of at least the initial stages of getting involved in not the slightest idea, and apart from people have told anything it would be better not to remember.” GP NETHERLANDS Clark Clark his accident. Now I know how blank that space can me since, I still do not recollect anything leading up In Italy the Monza event was scheduled to run GP FRANCE Clark Clark GP GREAT BRITAIN Clark Clark GP GERMANY Clark Surtees (2) GP ITALY* Surtees Clark (3) »I was originally asked out to Maranello at the end of 1960. GP USA Hill Hill GP MEXICO Clark Clark I wasn’t happy with political scene there. And frankly, I didn’t really GP SOUTH AFRICA Clark Clark know enough about car racing. By this stage, I’d only done four Most wins Most pole positions 7 Clark 7 Clark GPs, a couple of Formula 2 races and three Formula junior 2 Hill 2 Hill 1 Surtees 1 Surtees events. I decided then not to go into a hornet’s nest.« 7 Lotus 7 Lotus 2 BRM 2 BRM JOHN SURTEES 1 Ferrari 1 Ferrari over the combined circuit incorporating the unloved bankings but after three cars had suffered suspension failures on the first day of practice, aid came from an unexpected quarter. The police demanded that the bankings were not be used, fearing a repeat of the accident in 1961 that had killed the German driver Wolfgang von Trips and fourteen spectators. The bankings haven’t been used since. John Surtees, who became a new Italian hero after his win at the Nürürgring, was leading at the start of the race, but had to retire due to engine failure. The race was won by Clark, who secured the title with three races to go, but the thrill of this achievement was tempered when the police ushered him away to be questioned over his involvement in the 1961 accident. In contrast, BRM’s Richie Ginther was so delighted with his second place that he drove his Fiat Topolino up the steps of the hotel that evening. 1964 JOHN SURTEES (Ferrari) The 1964 season went down to the wire, but Hill’s car; and given just another teaspoonful, I would John Surtees had resuscitated Scuderia Ferrari to the have won. At least that’s how it appeared on the surface point where he could challenge Jim Clark’s Lotus after the finish of that fantastic race in which four and Graham Hill’s BRM. The first Japanese entry in different people led briefly on the last lap.” Formula 1 was a bold new car from Honda, which Dan Gurney’s victory in France was the first for appeared for the German Grand Prix driven by the the Brabham team, and Jack Brabham set a new lap relatively unknown American, Ronnie Bucknum. record chasing Graham Hill’s BRM to the flag, missing Up to the mid 60’s the pinnacle of motorsports had a 1-2 by eight-tenths of a second. Watching this race been more or less in the grasps of four countries: Italy, Denis Jenskinson had similar thoughts as the before Germany, France and Great Britain. But along came a mentioned Richie Ginther. Jenkinson wrote: “The STANDINGS time, when the Japanese and the Americans joined the French race was held at Rouen again. The circuit of Les 40 John Surtees (ferrari) game – the latter with their well known Ford. Essarts is the one that will always conjure up memories 39 Graham Hill (BRM) 32 Jim Clark (lotus climax) In the season-opener, Graham Hill and Richie of the great Fangio when he was at the top of his career 23 Lorenzo Bandini (ferrari) Richie Ginther (BRM) Ginther scored a 1-2 for BRM for the second year in in 1957. Possibly the finest action photographs ever 19 Dan Gurney (brabham climax) succession. Ginther’s mechanically oriented mindset taken were made at Rouen in that year when Fangio 13 Bruce McLaren (cooper climax) 11 Jack Brabham (brabham climax) gave him an insight into the direction Formula 1 threw his 250F Maserati into opposite-lock power- Peter Arundell (lotus climax) technology might take in the future… Richie Ginther: slides down the 130mph swerves after the pits, mainly 7 Jo Siffert (lotus BRM, brabham BRM, brabham climax) 5 Bob Anderson (brabham climax) “I think there’s so far to go that no one has envisaged At the Dutch Grand Prix Clark won, but then just for the fun of it, to let everyone appreciate that 4 Mike Spence (lotus climax) Tony Maggs (BRM) an end yet. People who think they’ve reached an end came the race in Belgium, where the last lap was he really was the master of his machine. Since those Innes Ireland (lotus BRM, BRP BRM) just aren’t far-thinking enough. Racing cars have been absolutely amazing. Bruce McLaren’s Cooper appeared old-fashioned days, science and design have improved 3 Jo Bonnier (cooper climax, brabham BRM, brabham climax) 2 Chris Amon (lotus BRM, lotus climax) getting smaller each year. Each season we say they’ll in the lead – but it was coasting with a dead engine Grand Prix cars out of all recognition and if a car Maurice Trintignant (BRM) never get any smaller – but they always do. They have downhill towards the finish line at 10mph, while Jim needs opposite steering lock through a fast bend, there Walt Hansgen (lotus climax) 1 Phil Hill (cooper climax) to. It’s getting to the point now where designers are Clark’s Lotus closed at 100mph and took the lead yards is something amiss and adjustments must be made. Trevor Taylor (BRP BRM, lotus BRM) Mike Hailwood (lotus BRM) trying not only to make an engine as powerful, reliable from the chequered flag. Clark was unaware he had Today, 1957 seems like a heroic age, but I have no Pedro Rodriguez (ferrari) and light as possible, but also as physically small as it won, and ran out of fuel on the slowing-down lap. He doubt that, in 10 years, the 1964 French Grand Prix TEAMS can be. Because the smaller the engine is, the smaller came back into the pits riding on the back of the car will seem like heroic age.” 45 Ferrari the car is. When they get the engine down to the of his new team mate, Formula Junior champion Peter At the German Grand Prix Honda finally 42 BRM 37 Lotus Climax width of the driver, it will be the size of the driver that Arundell from Britain. Bruce McLaren: “The last lap in appeared. The Japanese entered only 3 races in this 30 Brabham Climax 16 Cooper Climax governs the width of the car. We haven’t quite reached Belgium was completely chaotic. Given another half- season – besides Germany they raced in Italy and USA 7 Brabham BRM that stage yet, but when it does arrive, it will suit a gallon of petrol, Dan Gurney would have won; given as well. The loud 12-valve Japanese engine had 220bhp 5 BRP BRM 3 Lotus BRM small guy like me just fine. We'll see what happens.” another quart of petrol, it would have been Graham at 12 thousand revs per minute, but Honda finished out of the points. Debutant Ronnie Bucknum from equivalent in payment, a contract which, Bucknum number of patents and was never happier than when Race Pole Winner California was surprised that he – out of all the other said, ‘I think makes me one of the best-paid drivers he had solved a problem with his team of engineers. GP MONACO Clark Hill (3) drivers on the market – had been given a chance to in the sport.’” British-born Rhodesian works Honda He knew how to instil in all his employees his love of a GP NETHERLANDS Gurney Clark (2) race for the team. John Tomerlin of the Road&Track motorcycle rider Jim Redman was also at the German job well done and his sense of loyalty. He and his team GP BELGIUM Gurney Clark (6) wrote: “In March, Bucknum was approached by a Grand Prix, where he declined the opportunity to took enormous pride in everything they did and his GP FRANCE Clark Gurney (2) representative of Honda and flew to Tokyo to climb make his four-wheel debut. But Redman was delighted employees would have worked an eight-day week and a GP GREAT BRITAIN Clark Clark behind the wheel of the first Formula 1 car he’d sat with the founder of the Japanese factory. Jim Redman: 25-hour day if he asked him.” GP GERMANY Surtees Surtees GP AUSTRIA Hill Bandini (7) in his life. ‘It was the most frightening experience “Sochiro Honda was a genuine and modest person. After Germany the first race in Austria followed, GP ITALY Surtees Surtees I’ve ever had,’ he said, ‘and personally I thought I was To see him working, in his overalls, in the midst of his and it was held at the Zeltweg military airfield, where GP USA Clark Hill (4) really bad.’ Honda did not think so. It signed him to a engineers, you’d never imagine he was the ‘big boss’. He the local boy Jochen Rindt made his debut in Rob GP MEXICO* Clark Gurney (2) contract guaranteeing him four races in 1964, or the was the personal inventor and owner of an incredible Walker’s Brabham-BRM. Rindt later became the only Most wins Most pole positions 3 Clark 5 Clark »Racing cars are getting smaller ever year. Every year they say 2 Surtees 2 Surtees Hill Gurney that they can’t get any smaller, but they do.« Gurney 1 Hill 1 Bandini RICHIE GINTHER 3 Ferrari 5 Lotus Lotus 2 Ferrari champion who won the title posthumously. His debut 2 BRM Brabham was closely followed by journalist Heinz Prüller. “For Brabham 1 BRM Rindt there seemed hope of a Championship point, but brake trouble forced him into the pits and later the steering broke,” said Prüller. There was a party after the race in Austria and Mike Hailwood remembered it like this: “Jim Clark and Innes Ireland arrived wearing kilts but, Innes being Innes, had elected to wear nothing underneath. As the evening progressed, Innes became more and more enthusiastic and eventually decide to dance on the table. All the girls became very excited, but it was just too much for Graham Hill, who dashed outside and returned with a nice prickly cactus. Poor old Innes and his girlfriend spent the next week occupied with a pair of tweezers and a magnifying glass, pul ing out the spines.” John Surtees became champion in Mexico where he raced with a white and blue painted Ferrari. 1965 JIM CLARK (Lotus Climax) The Scottish driver Jim Clark literary swept with at me… Later that night, we went to the Tip-Top, his opponents in 1965. He won the opening round a little bar which is a popular meeting place for all in the South African Republic on New Year’s Day, the British contingent. I look in every year, an every and five more races, becoming the champion for year the owner treats me to a drink – this time it was the second time at the German Grand Prix – three champagne. The next day I went to the Cap Ferrat races before the end of the season. Besides the World beach with my wife Bette. The race exhausted me, but Championship, Clark won the British and French the win was a good compensation. I don’t know if I Formula 2 championships, and the Tasman Series in ever felt so unusual in my life.” New Zealand and Australia – and he also became the Clark’s sovereign victories followed and his first non-American to win the Indianapolis 500 race mechanic Alan McCall explained why the Lotus driver since 1916. was so successful. Alan McCal : “Jimmy was so un- This year was also notable for the debut of another punishing with the car. Brake pads – we only used to Scot who would make and indelible mark on the sport. have to replace them on his car after four or five races. Jackie Stewart was recruited from great success in I never knew any other driver with the ability to carry STANDINGS Formula 3 racing to become Graham Hill’s team mate that extra bit of speed around the corners that came to 54 Jim Clark (lotus climax) 40 Graham Hill (BRM) at BRM. Stewart is one of the rare World Champions Jimmy so easily without molesting the machinery.” 33 Jackie Stewart (BRM) to score points in his debut race, before him only 3 At the Italian Grand Prix newcomer Jackie 25 Dan Gurney (brabham climax) 17 John Surtees (ferrari) managed to do that. He is also one of the rare World before. In Monaco Hill was best for the third year Stewart’s first victory was accomplished by slipping 13 Lorenzo Bandini (ferrari) 11 Richie Ginther (honda) Champions who was able to win a race in his first running. But it wasn’t easy. Graham Hill: “The race inside his veteran BRM team leader Graham Hill on 10 Mike Spence (lotus climax) Formula 1 season. In fact, his win was the first of what had been on for about 25 laps. I was in the lead and the South Turn, the last corner of the last lap. Jackie Bruce McLaren (lotus climax) 9 Jack Brabham (brabham climax) was to become a record number of wins. Jackie later coming out of the tunnel, when I came upon Bob Stewart: “What happened? Going into the corner 5 Denny Hulme (brabham climax) became known for his efforts to improve safety in this Anderson’s Brabham at the chicane. He was a lap down I was on the inside, which is the accepted line, and Jo Siffert (brabham BRM) 4 Jochen Rindt (cooper climax) sport. In this season one more driver who would later and I had nowhere to go. I ran down the escape road, Graham went wide, only to strike the loose stuff that 2 Pedro Rodriguez (ferrari) Ronnie Bucknum (honda) become champion made his debut. It was the New locked up the brakes, jumped out of the car, pushed it gets pushed to the outside of a corner during a race. Richard Atwood (lotus BRM) Zealander Denny Hulme who joined Team Brabham onto the track, jumped back in, and continued racing. When you get onto that there’s nothing much you TEAMS where he lifted the crown in 1967. Hulme’s first race All this took time and I dropped back to fifth place. can do about it. You can’t brake or steer in the normal 54 Lotus Climax was in Monaco where he finished eighth. The race was 100 laps long and by lap 53 I overtook way, you’ve got to try and pussy-foot the car round 45 BRM 27 Brabham Climax As written, the season began in South African Surtees in second place. A few laps later I caught up in the best way you can. That’s what happened.” That 26 Ferrari 14 Cooper Climax Republic. There the first three places were taken the leader Bandini, overtook him as well, and won the loose stuff is in most cases pieces of rubber. Even later 11 Honda by Clark, Hill and Surtees – the trio fought for the race. When I was on the podium with Prince Rainier drivers lost valuable places on it. During the Canadian 5 Brabham BRM 2 Lotus BRM championship all the way to the last race of the year and Princess Grace some ‘Not again’ remarks flew Grand Prix in 2006 Kimi Räikkönen from Finland lost his second place to Michael Schumacher, and the shaved Ginther’s lead. Richie Ginther: “When Dan control to anywhere from ‘full rich’ to ‘full lean’ and Race Pole Winner Canadian Jacques Villeneuve even lost control of the was closing on me, I knew exactly what I was doing. the difference was 300 revs on the straightway. My car GP SOUTH AFRICA Clark Clark car entirely and crashed into the wal . There’s a hairpin on the circuit and I was allowing him was that much better than his.” Ginther celebrated his GP MONACO Hill Hill In Mexico Richie Ginther started the last Grand to come back at me because I was saving my car. I knew first and only win, but for Honda and the American GP BELGIUM Hill Clark (2) Prix of the 1.5-litre formula from the second row of how much I could let him have. I didn’t do anything tyre supplier Goodyear it was a different story. It was GP FRANCE Clark Clark the grid, but he led the field into the first corner. The stupid. I couldn’t let myself go too much in case I lost their first win too, but not the last. Yohio Nakamura GP GREAT BRITAIN Clark Clark race then became a battle between the Californian concentration, but I was letting him come. I had a (Honda team boss): “After the race I sent a telegram GP NETHERLANDS Hill Clark (2) GP GERMANY* Clark Clark friends, Dan Gurney in the Brabham and Ginther fuel mixture control on the dashboard and I had it at to Honda headquarters in Tokyo echoing the words GP ITALY Clark Stewart (3) in the Honda, with Gurney setting fastest laps as he ‘lower rich’ to protect the engine, but I could alter the of Julius Caesar: ‘I came, I saw, I won!’” Brian Hart GP USA Hill Hill GP MEXICO Clark Ginther (3) »I ran down the escape road, locked up the brakes, jumped out Most wins Most pole positions 6 Clark 6 Clark of the car, pushed it back onto the track, jumped back 2 Hill 4 Hill 1 Stewart in, and continued racing.« Ginther 6 Lotus 6 Lotus GRAHAM HILL 3 BRM 4 BRM 1 Honda (former race driver and engine builder): “One of my greatest memories is Nakamura and his men actually making the Honda work. Most of the time it was very difficult to get the engine to run on 12 cylinders. It had these massive long exhaust pipes which looked like tentacles, as if an octopus was being sucked from the engine, and it was tuned like 12 motorbikes. Nobody had ever revved engines so high. The other engines were running about 10,500rpm. When Ginther won in Mexico he was running 12,500. And the noise the thing made was unbelievable.” The outcome of the championship was the achievement of an outstanding partnership between the entrant and his team leader, based on deep mutual respect. Colin Champan: “Jim will always have a go and give his very best. In all the time I have known him I have seen him have remarkably few ‘off ’ days. This is a tremendous morale-booster for the team as a whole.” 1966 JACK BRABHAM (Brabham Repco) The maximum swept volume of the Formula 1 New Zealander tragically lost his life in a testing crash. engine increased for the 1966 season from 1500cc to The Belgian Grand Prix was won by John Surtees, 3000cc, and the reaction to this big change by some but the Englishman had had it at Ferrari. Dragoni of the teams was to adopt complex, multi-cylinder accused him of not going fast enough when most of engines, in search of supposedly huge horsepower the top drivers prematurely ended the race, so John left advantages. the team and at the next Grand Prix in France he was BRM designed a complex, 16-cylinder device. already behind a Cooper-Maserati. The Belgian Grand Cooper dusted off the ageing Maserati V12. Ferrari Prix was also an important turning point in Formula (deploying a 3-litre version of its sports-car race 1, for after it Jackie Stewart started raising his voice STANDINGS engine) and Honda also came along with twelve- about the safety in this sport. Jackie had an accident 42 Jack Brabham (brabham repco) 28 John Surtees (ferrari, cooper maserati) cylinder motors. As an interim measure, Lotus there, so he had to miss the next race. And why did the 22 Jochen Rindt (cooper maserati) was compelled to preserve with a four-cylinder accident happen in the first place? The Spa track was 18 Denny Hulme (brabham climax, brabham repco) 17 Graham Hill (BRM) Climax engine, and this effectively rendered Jim then quite long, 14 kilometres to be exact, and while it 16 Jim Clark (lotus climax, lotus BRM) 14 Jackie Stewart (BRM) Clark incapable of defending his title. Against most was dry at the starting grid, a downpour began at the 12 Mike Parkes (ferrari) expectations, he lost it to a man accustomed to taking far end. Jack Brabham: “But no one thought of letting Lorenzo Bandini (ferrari) 9 Ludovico Scarfiotti (ferrari) the simplest approach to any engineering problem. Jack us in on the news.” Denny Hulme: “There were cars 5 Richie Ginther (cooper maserati, honda) Brabham commissioned Repco (Replacement Parts going in all directions when we hit the rain.” One of 4 Dan Gurney (eagle climax, eagle weslake) Mike Spence (lotus BRM) Company) in Australia to build a V8, based on the of how the new 3-litre car would perform. It was these cars was Jackie Stewart’s BRM, which crashed 3 Bob Bondurant (BRM, eagle climax, eagle weslake) Jo Siffert (brabham BRM, cooper maserati) block of an obsolete Oldsmobile V8 saloon car engine. taking too big a chance to expect the new car to finish. heavily at 150mph, and the Scot was stuck in it. His Bruce McLaren (mclaren ford, mclaren serenissima) Even with modes useable power, it would win the I considered that the 2.4-litre car was the one to win team mate Graham Hill was first to reach the BRM 1 Peter Arundell (lotus BRM, lotus climax) Jo Bonnier (cooper maserati, brabham climax) World Championship two years in succession. at Monaco, purely on the grounds of reliability – in driver. Graham Hill: “Jackie was still in the car and Bob Anderson (brabham climax) The season began at Monaco, where Jackie Stewart other words horses for courses.” At Monaco the French obviously in some sort of pain. I realised I would have John Taylor (brabham BRM) won with a 2-litre V8, as used in that winter’s Tasman driver Guy Ligier debuted in a Cooper-Maserati. Next to take the steering wheel off before I could get him TEAMS 42 Brabham Repco Series. John Surtees had to drive the heavy new V12 year Ligier scored his only point in Formula 1, and out. I ran off to ask a marshal to find a toolbox. Jackie 31 Ferrari Ferrari while team mate Lorenzo Bandini had the in 1976 – when he already retired as a driver – he was soaked in petrol and the raw fuel was burning 30 Cooper Maserati 22 BRM lighter 2.4-litre V6. Surtees led the race until the surfaced in the sport as the owner of the Ligier team. It him. It is very strong stuff and it can take all your skin 13 Lotus BRM differential broke. He was not a happy man… John was most successful in 1980, when it was second in the off just by chemical action. So we had to get him out 8 Lotus Climax 4 Eagle Climax Surtees: “This was where one of the big differences World Cup for Constructors. At Monaco the world immediately. When we did that, we went to a small 3 Honda 2 McLaren Ford came with (Ferrari team manager Eugenio) Dragoni. I of motorsports witnessed one more debut – it was the farm building nearby. In there I took off all his clothes 1 Brabham Climax considered that our purpose in going to Monaco was first race for Team McLaren, where the founder Bruce off because they were soaked in fuel. No assistance had Brabham BRM McLaren Serenissima to win the race – not just to put on a demonstration McLaren raced all the way to the year 1970, when the arrived, so I ran to a marshal post again and telephoned from there for an ambulance, when I got back it was and dirt. They stuffed me into an old ambulance and areas for the circuits. But at first Stewart’s personal Race Pole Winner just arriving. The first thing the nurses did when they provided a police escort to go to the hospital in Liège, crusade was not without its critics among the drivers. GP MONACO Clark Stewart (3) saw Jackie was to cover him up again with petrol- which was quite a few miles away. On the way, the Chris Amon, although he would later fully support GP BELGIUM Surtees Surtees soaked overalls, so I had big battle with them.” Jackie ambulance lost the police escort and didn’t know how Stewart’s efforts, was at first fearful that improved GP FRANCE Bandini Brabham (4) Stewart: “I had broken my col arbone and dislocated a to get to the hospital. In spite of all those problems, I circuit safety standards would lead to more dangerous GP GREAT BRITAIN Brabham Brabham shoulder, and I had some ribs cracked. I had a sore back was in London at St. Tomas’s Hospital six hours after driving by some of his peers. Chris Amon: “Stewart GP NETHERLANDS Brabham Brabham and concussion. But the main concern was the petrol. my accident, which was a terrific effort, thanks to I take my hat off to, because his attitude was never GP GERMANY Clark Brabham (5) GP ITALY* Parkes Scarfiotti (2) As it was I had substantial petrol burns and eventually Louis Stanley, who was instrumental in forming the ambivalent. He worked hard for circuit changes, and GP USA Brabham Clark (2) all my skin would come off. The building I was in, the Grand Prix Medical Unit after my accident.” Stewart he drove hard, but absolutely fairly. However, there GP MEXICO Surtees Surtees so-called medical centre, was just a shack. I lay there later pioneered the use of seat harnesses and fireproof are people in this business who worry me. At GPDA on the concrete floor littered with cigarette butts overalls for the drivers, and guard-railing and run-off (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association) safety meetings, Most wins Most pole positions 4 Brabham 3 Brabham 2 Surtees 2 Surtees »Stewart I take my hat off to, because his attitude was never 1 Clark Clark Stewart 1 Parkes abvivalent. He worked hard for circuit changes.« Scarfiotti Bandini 4 Brabham 3 Brabham CHRIS AMON 2 Ferrari Ferrari 1 Cooper 2 Lotus they’d shout about cutting trees down, flattening banks BRM 1 Cooper and erecting guardrails all over the place. I’m surprised Lotus some of them didn’t ask for guardrails in their hotel rooms. After al , most people die in bed. Okay, fine, then you’d get into a race with some of these crusaders, and find they’d happily put you over their precious guardrails without giving it a thought. I wasn’t anti- safety – no one wants to get killed or maimed – but I thought it was a double-edged sword, because more safety also meant more indiscipline.” Jack Brabham won the German Grand Prix and it was his fourth consecutive win in the season. He was in a good position to secure the championship at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. He wasn’t able to finish the race there, but his last opponent John Surtees also didn’t, so the Australian driver became the first after Juan Manuel Fangio to secure him self a third World Championship title. 1967 DENNY HULME (Brabham Repco) Formula 1 wasn’t covered in all the countries of gotten to know Lorenzo well and he was particularly the world at the same time and it wasn’t covered from supportive of having me in the team. I think the crash the establishment of the championships in 1950, but was a result of sheer fatigue. It was a long race, the mostly much later. It also wasn’t covered by all the thick end of three hours, and it was very hot that day. media at the same time. If the author of this book I know that about the 75th lap I was actually starting had done his home work as he should have, then the to get cold in the car, which meant that I was really first written Formula 1 articles in Slovenia – where dehydrated. I’m sure Lorenzo went through the same the author was born – were in Avtomagazin (Auto thing, and it was purely a lapse of concentration Magazine), a printed magazine, which came out that caused him to run wide and hit the bales.” John STANDINGS published every two weeks. Even today, in 2017, you Surtees: “Bandini had virtually cried and pleaded 51 Denny Hulme (Brabham Repco) 46 Jack Brabham (brabham repco) can still read about Formula 1 in this magazine. with me not to leave Ferrari the previous year. I said 41 Jim Clark (lotus BRM, lotus climax, lotus ford) In 1967 best results from 9 races counted for the to people in the team: ‘Look, you will kill the lad 20 John Surtees (honda) Chris Amon (ferrari) championship – 5 from the first 6 races, and 4 from the because of the sort of responsibility he’ll face – an 15 Pedro Rodriguez (cooper maserati) Graham Hill (lotus BRM, lotus ford) last 5. This divided system, with a different number of Italian in a Ferrari car isn’t on.” 13 Dan Gurney (eagle climax, eagle weslake) best results of course, was in use all the way to the 1980 As Colin Chapman had used the Dutch Grand 10 Jackie Stewart (BRM) 9 Mike Spence (BRM) season. Prix for the debut of his monocoque Lotus 25 in 6 John Love (cooper climax) Team Brabham was again the one to beat, but 1962, so he used it five years later to launch his Lotus Jo Siffert (cooper maserati) Jochen Rindt (cooper maserati) this time the title went to Denny Hulme and not Jack fatality in Formula 1. Graham Hill realised that the 49, a car tailored to the compact new Ford-Cosworth 3 Bruce McLaren (mclaren BRM, eagle weslake) Jo Bonnier (cooper maserati) Brabham. The New Zealander won only 2 races, but star at BRM had begun to fade, so he moved to Team DFV. The Americans had paid the English company 2 Chris Irwin (lotus BRM, BRM) he was on the podium on 6 other occasions, making Lotus. Cosworth (it was established by Mike Costin and Bob Anderson (brabham climax) Mike Parkes (ferrari) him the driver with most podiums in the season. At The first race was in South African Republic. Keith Duckworth) a sum of 100 thousand pounds 1 Guy Ligier (cooper maserati, brabham repco) the last race in Mexico he only needed a fourth place Rodriguez won it. But in Monaco disaster struck – and to build a new 3-litre engine. The Brit Ken Tyrell Ludovico Scarfiotti (ferrari, eagle weslake) Jacky Ickx (cooper maserati) to secure the title, and he was third, behind his team it was even more intensive because the race had been who won both championships in 1971 using the TEAMS mate. The most dangerous opponent to the Brabham broadcasted live on television. On lap 82 Lorenzo Cosworth engines, later recalled of how nervous 63 Brabham Repco duo was Jim Clark, who won 4 races. But too many Bandini took the chicane on the harbour front, and Keith was at this race. Ken Tyrell: “I went to 44 Lotus Ford 28 Cooper Maserati times and in crucial moments the Lotus driver had to as he did that, his 312 clipped the inside wall with its Zandvoort when the Ford engine had its first outing 20 Honda face mechanical failures. right-hand wheels. It ran wide to the left, climbing up and I was obviously very impressed with what it had Ferrari 17 BRM There were lots of driver changes before the season. the straw bales, a wheel came off, the car turned over done in practice and qualifying. I had lunch with 13 Eagle Weslake 6 Lotus BRM John Surtees left Cooper-Maserati to join Honda. His on to the track – and erupted into a horrifying pillar Cosworth’s Keith Duckworth and he was walking Cooper Climax seat was filled with the Mexican Pedro Rodriguez, the of flame. Bandini was so badly burned that he died around like a cat on hot bricks, nervous as hell, and I 3 McLaren BRM 2 Brabham Climax older brother of Ricardo Rodriguez – the youngest three days later in the hospital. Chris Amon: “I had said: ‘You don’t expect it to finish its first race. Don’t worry about it. If it doesn’t finish, it’s already shown the edge on reliability. If he finished, Jim looked like that our cars were better. But others might disagree.” Race Pole Winner how good it is.’ And of course it won. When I got back the winner almost every time, but frankly I didn’t feel A week after he had won the Le Mans 24 Hours GP SOUTH AFRICA Brabham Rodriguez (4) from that race, I ordered three of those engines.” that the Lotus 49 was the best car in the world. The for Ford co-driving A.J. Foyt, and pioneered the art GP MONACO Brabham Hulme (4) So Ford’s engine promised a lot, but… Denny greatest thing about it to my way of thinking was the of spraying champagne on the rostrum, Dan Gurney GP NETHERLANDS Hill Clark (8) Hulme: “I knew the Lotuses were fast but I felt we had engine. So far as handling was concerned, I thought won again at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium – this GP BELGIUM Clark Gurney (2) GP FRANCE Hill Brabham (2) GP GREAT BRITAIN Clark Clark GP GERMANY Clark Hulme (2) »Lorenzo Bandini had virtually cried and pleaded me GP CANADA Clark Brabham (7) GP ITALY Clark Surtees (9) not to leave Ferrari the previous year. I said GP USA Hill Clark (2) GP MEXICO* Clark Clark to the people in the team ‘Look, you will kill the lad because of the Most wins Most pole positions sort of responsibility he’ll face - an Italian 4 Clark 6 Clark 2 Hulme 3 Hill in a Ferrari car isn’t on.« Brabham 2 Brabham 1 Surtees Rodriguez JOHN SURTEES Gurney time in his own Formula 1 car. Nigel Roebuck: “On 4 Brabham 9 Lotus the podium, the perennially luckless Gurney looked a Lotus 2 Brabham little dazed. Two wins in seven days. Clark, who always 1 Cooper considered Dan his only true rival, was delighted for Honda him.” Eagle There was real drama on the last lap of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. In the most thrilling finish for years, Jim Clark led going into the final lap, but had Surtees and Jack Brabham hard on his tail. Suddenly the Lotus slowed, starved of fuel, and Surtees took the lead. Then the Brabham-Repco out-braked the Honda V12 in the final corner, only to slide broadside across its bows, and Surtees held off his rival in a frantic dash to the chequered flag, to win by less than a car’s length. Although he coasted into third place, the result eliminated Jim Clark from the title chase. He did though manage to win the remaining races of the 1967 season. 1968 GRAHAM HILL (Lotus Ford) After initial problems in 1967 the Ford Cosworth go on to become the first millionaire driver. Jackie DFV engine was ready for success in 1968. All the Stewart: “When I drove for Ken in Formula 2 in 1964 races – except for the French Grand Prix, where Ferrari I had maybe £150 in the bank. If someone had said to beat the competition – were won by drivers using Ford me in those days that I was going to earn £5000 a year, engines. A year later, even that one exception wasn’t I would have thought it was fantastic. But then, when possible. The Cosworth V8 engine became reliable, I started out with Ken in Formula 1, I saw that I could so the title was basically reserved for Jim Clark, who make £8000 or £9000 and suddenly that was awful big won the first race in South African Republic. Clark money. There weren’t a lot people making that sort of STANDINGS 48 Graham Hill (lotus ford) beat Fangio’s record of 24 wins in South Africa, but money then who weren’t executives or something of 36 Jackie Stewart (matra ford) he was tragically killed before the next Grand Prix the kind.” 33 Denny Hulme (mclaren BRM, mclaren ford) 27 Jacky Ickx (ferrari) at a Formula 2 competition in Hockenheim. Jackie The victory by new Ferrari recruit Jacky Ickx 22 Bruce McLaren (mclaren ford) Stewart: “Nobody knew what was going on inside on the Rouen road course in France was the first 18 Pedro Rodriguez (BRM) 12 Jo Siffert (cooper maserati, lotus ford) Jim. He was an incredibly private person. He isolated achieved by a car fitted with a rear aerofoil. Sadly, it is John Surtees (honda) 11 Jean-Pierre Beltoise (matra ford, matra) himself. But you could see his anxiety, and it got worse also remembered for a more sombre reason. Driving 10 Chris Amon (ferrari) as he got older. He had stiffness in his shoulders. He a Formula 1 car for the first time at the age of 40, Jo 9 Jim Clark (lotus ford) 8 Jochen Rindt (brabham repco) was the coolest, calmest, most calculating racing driver Schlesser crashed his Honda and was burned to death 6 Richard Attwood (BRM) in the world, yet he continually chewed his fingernails in the cockpit. Years later his nephew Jean-Louis Johnny Servoz-Gavin (matra ford, cooper BRM) Jackie Oliver (lotus ford) with nervousness. In a way he was a terribly highly was second. Only when one of the BRM mechanics Schlesser also tried out as a Formula 1 driver. And what Ludovico Scarfiotti (cooper maserati, cooper BRM) 5 Lucien Bianchi (cooper BRM) tensed man and yet the moment he slipped into a approached and told me that Jackie Stewart had to a try that was. At the 1988 Italian Grand Prix, when he Vic Elford (cooper BRM) racing car he changed.” Chris Amon: “I don’t think make an unscheduled stop, had I realised I’d won the was a lap down in his Williams replacing the injured 4 Brian Redman (cooper maserati, cooper BRM) Piers Courage (BRM) Jimmy’s death slowed anybody down, but I think it race.” Nigel Mansell, he crashed with the leader of the race 3 Dan Gurney (eagle weslake, brabham repco, mclaren ford) probably cast some doubts in people’s minds because, In Hol and, the Stewart/Tyrell partnership paid Ayrton Senna, who was a bit impatient of getting by Jo Bonnier (cooper maserati, mclaren BRM, honda) 2 Jack Brabham (brabham repco) if it could happen to him, it could happen to anyone. A its first dividend, although it was accomplished with in his McLaren. Jean-Louis was considered a good Silvio Moser (brabham repco) lot of us had a sort of ‘bullet-proof ’ attitude at the time a comparatively small budget. Ken Tyrell, who had driver winning in different motorsport categories. He TEAMS and it certainly put a dent in that.” been successful as a Formula 2 entrant with Matra, got was even a stunt driver for the French movie Taxi and 62 Lotus Ford 49 McLaren Ford With Clark’s death the responsibility in the Lotus the Formula 1 chassis free from the French aerospace played himself in Taxi2. 45 Matra Ford team fell on Graham Hill, who managed to win company. His biggest bill for the season was for Back to the 1968 season. In Germany history was 32 Ferrari 28 BRM the next two races. But in Belgium Team McLaren engines: five Cosworth DFV’s at £7500 each. The made when the Belgian Jackie Ickx in a Ferrari beat the 14 Honda Cooper BRM celebrated their first win – it was contributed by the driver, who never signed a contract but confirmed their competition in qualifying by 10.9 second. This is the 10 Brabham Repco founder himself. Bruce McLaren: “I hadn’t realised I deal with a handshake with Ken Tyrell, was not that biggest margin ever, but it has to be underlined that in 8 Matra 3 McLaren BRM had won, when I crossed the finish line. I thought I expensive either, although the canny ‘Wee Scot’ would those days tracks were very long. Ickx’s achievement can’t be equalled with Senna’s at the 1988 Monaco a staggering margin of 4 minutes in harsh weather in his first Grand Prix. Few drivers did that (Carlos Race Pole Winner Grand Prix, when the Brazilian beat his team mate conditions. Reutemann in 1972, Jacques Villeneuve in 1996…). GP SOUTH AFRICA Clark Clark Alain Prost by 1.4 seconds, making even Prost himself Jackie Stewart won the US race as well but it was There were some people who said that the Italian- GP SPAIN Amon Hill (6) say: “I’m speechless.” The race in Germany hadn’t Mario Andretti, driving a third Lotus 49, who made born American star had a ‘home court advantage,’ but GP MONACO Hill Hill been won by Ickx. Jackie Stewart took the glory by Formula 1 history by qualifying on pole position Andretti hadn’t raced at the Watkins Glen prior to GP BELGIUM Amon McLaren (6) GP NETHERLANDS Amon Stewart (5) GP FRANCE Rindt Ickx (3) GP GREAT BRITAIN Hill Siffert (4) »When I drove for Ken in Formula 2 in 1964 I had maybe 150 GP GERMANY Ickx Stewart (6) GP ITALY Surtees Hulme (7) pounds in the bank. If some had said to me in those days that I was GP CANADA Rindt Hulme (6) GP USA Andretti Stewart (2) going to earn 5000 a year, I would have thought it GP MEXICO* Siffert Hill (3) was fantastic. But then, when I started with Ken in Formula 1, Most wins Most pole positions 3 Hill 3 Amon I saw that I could make 8000 or 9000.« Stewart 2 Hill 2 Hulme Rindt 1 Ickx 1 Ickx JACKIE STEWART McLaren Siffert Siffert Surtees his debut. Mario Andretti: “I was lucky, because the Clark Clark Lotus 49 was the car of the moment – it would be like Andretti a rookie getting into Ferrari or McLaren today. That’s when I truly fell in love with a Formula 1 car. I felt: 5 Lotus 5 Lotus ‘This is where I belong.’” Somewhere in the back of 3 McLaren 4 Ferrari Matra 2 Brabham this race a driver tried his luck in Formula 1 for the 1 Ferrari 1 Honda second time. The American Bobby Unser, who entered the Italian Grand Prix, but failed to start, tried out in the BRM car again. He wasn’t able to finish the race, but the American later achieved lots of successes in the American series USAC or better yet IndyCar. He won the Indy 500 race on three occasions. He wasn’t the only Unser to win. His brother Al Unser won it four times and Alan’s son Al Unser Jr. twice. Graham Hill became World Champion at the last race in Mexico, where two other drivers had a chance to clinch the title. But Hulme and Stewart failed to score points there. 1969 JACKIE STEWART (Matra Ford) At the end of the 60’s Formula 1 met with Chapman from his home in Geneva. The letter was commercialism, the racing cars were therefore re- judged so controversial that the English publishers of liveried from traditional colour schemes and had more Rindt’s biography, written after his death (following a and more sponsor names. There were lots of driver mechanical failure in his Lotus in 1970 at the Italian changes. Jackie Ickx moved from Scuderia Ferrari to Grand Prix) by his Austrian journalist friend, Heinz Team Braham from where Jochen Rindt moved to Prüller, chose not to print it. The letter, in English, was Team Lotus. Honda pulled out of the sport and was reproduced in the appendix of the German language back in 1983, but only as an engine supplier. The 1969 edition. Jochen Rindt wrote: “I just got back to Geneva season was fruitful for Jackie Stewart who won 6 out and I am going to have a second opinion on the state of the first 8 races. He became champion with three of my head tomorrow. After hearing the Doctor’s races to go. He managed to secure the World Cup for opinion we can make a final decision on Monaco and Constructors as well for Matra and his team boss Ken Indy… Now to our whole situation, Colin. I have been Tyrell, but he always underlined that the successes were racing F1 for 5 years and I have made one mistake a consequence of mutual partnership. Nevertheless, (I rammed Chris Amon at Clermont-Ferrand and I STANDINGS he praised Ken the most. Jackie Stewart: “Ken is so had one accident in Zandvoort due to gear-selection 63 Jackie Stewart (matra ford) 37 Jacky Ickx (brabham ford) practical. He chooses his mechanics and crew well. failure – otherwise I managed to stay out of trouble. 26 Bruce McLaren (mclaren ford) They’re solid as the rock of Gibraltar.” The situation changed rapidly since I joined your team. 22 Jochen Rindt (lotus ford) 21 Jean-Pierre Beltoise (matra ford) The last season of the decade began with the about 140mph, Jochen’s wing gave way. The aerofoil Levin, Eifelrace F2 wishbones and now Barcelona (all 20 Denny Hulme (mclaren ford) 19 Graham Hill (lotus ford) cars sprouting ungainly wings on various parts of the bent back, and this resulted in the lifting effect which accidents caused by mechanical failure). Honestly your 16 Piers Courage (brabham ford) chassis. Rear-mounted aerofoils had first appeared Jochen had always feared. The rear of his car rose cars are so quick that we would still be competitive 15 Jo Siffert (lotus ford) 14 Jack Brabham (brabham ford) on the Ferraris and Brabhams the previous season (in up and appeared to climb the guardrails, which had with a few extra pounds to make the weakest parts 6 John Surtees (BRM) Belgium), but their function was not fully understood fortunately been raised on Jochen’s insistence a few stronger. On top of that I think you ought to spend 4 Chris Amon (ferrari) 3 Richard Attwood (lotus ford) by the rival teams. But now everybody had realised weeks earlier. The car was thrown to the right, col ided some time checking what your different employees are Vic Elford (cooper maserati, mclaren ford) Pedro Rodriguez (BRM, ferrari) that the wings helped the cars stick to the road, and with the remains of Hill’s Lotus, turned over and slid doing. Please give my suggestions some thought. I can 1 Silvio Moser (brabham ford) the designers experimented furiously with them. But along the rack upside down. Jochen’s face was bleeding only drive a car in which I have some confidence and I Jackie Oliver (BRM) Johnny Servoz-Gavin (matra ford) at first these wings weren’t reliable. At the Spanish badly but he was conscious and muttered: ‘Shit!’ The feel the point of no confidence is quite near.” TEAMS Grand Prix on the Montjuich Park circuit Graham next day lying dazed in hospital with concussion, a Jackie Stewart became champion in Italy. But his 66 Matra Ford Hill’s rear wing fell off first. Then the same thing broken jaw, a broken nose, Rindt mumbled to his wife race was a bit scary, for at the start he ran over one of 49 Brabham Ford 47 Lotus Ford happened to Rindt. They both lost control of their Nina: ‘I always wondered what Jimmy (Clark) felt in numerous hares which ‘besiege’ the nearby woods even 38 McLaren Ford cars, but while Hill escaped injury, Rindt got hurt. Hockenheim. Now I think I know: nothing.’” Five as these lines are written down almost 50 years later. 7 BRM Ferrari Heinz Prüller: “On the 20th lap, and at speed of days after his crash in Spain, Rindt wrote a letter to Jackie Stewart: “It sprinted right in my path. My right front tyre hit it. There was no question of me deviating was one of the closest finishes of all time. From 1967 to which Stewart won in 1969, and in 1971 there were Race Pole Winner even a fraction to avoid it. I would have had an 1974 the winner of Monza won by less than a second even 26 changes in 55 laps – which is the total amount GP SOUTH AFRICA Brabham Stewart (4) accident and taken half the starters in the Italian Grand on five different occasions. In 1971 Monza even had of laps for that race. Back in those days they didn’t GP SPAIN Rindt Stewart (4) Prix off the road with me. I went through agonies for the closest finish of all time. Five racing cars crossed measure time at all the tracks the same way. From 1950 GP MONACO Stewart Hill (4) the next few laps, thinking a bone had lodged in the the finish line in less than 7 tenths of a second. Peter onwards and all the way to the 70’s a tenth of a second GP NETHERLANDS Rindt Stewart (2) tyre and it might suddenly deflate.” The Scot won by Gethin from Britain won that race by a mere 0.01 was usually in use, the first thousand of a second was GP FRANCE Stewart Stewart 0.08 seconds ahead of Jochen Rindt, and by less than 2 seconds ahead of the Swede Ronnie Peterson. These measured at the US Grand Prix in 1971. By the early GP GREAT BRITAIN Rindt Stewart (2) GP GERMANY Ickx Ickx tenths of a second Jean-Pierre Beltoise in a Matra and were also races with lots of different leading drivers. 80’s it was a real mess, for some tracks used tenths, GP ITALY* Rindt Stewart (3) Bruce McLaren in a McLaren finished behind Rindt. It There were 14 changes by lap 37 (out of 68) in the race some hundreds and some thousands. In 1982 Formula GP CANADA Ickx Ickx GP USA Rindt Rindt GP MEXICO Brabham Hulme (4) »Jochen’s face was bleeding badly but he was conscious and Most wins Most pole positions muttered: ‘Shit!’ The next day he was lying dazed in 6 Stewart 5 Rindt 2 Ickx 2 Stewart hospital with concussion.« 1 Rindt Ickx Hulme Brabham HEINZ PRÜLLER Hill 6 Matra 5 Lotus 1 got an official timekeeper which measured thousands 2 Brabham 4 Brabham of a second on all the tracks. At first it was the Swiss Lotus 2 Matra Longines, which did it until 1992, and then another 1 McLaren Swiss company stepped in – it was Tag Heuer (1992- 2003). German Siemens was the official timekeeper from 2004 to 2009, then LG Group from South Korea took over that role. In USA Graham Hill’s Lotus was fitted with experimental Firestone tyres which were badly worn late in the race and Hill spun. He had to get out and push-start his car, then headed back to the pits for a tyre change. But he had had a bad accident. Graham Hill: “I had broken my right knee just on the joint, dislocated the left one and torn all the ligaments. I can remember very little of the accident, except going backwards at high speed. Some of the lads came to see me directly after the accident and I told them to tell Bette that I wouldn’t be dancing for a while.” 1970 JOCHEN RINDT (Lotus Ford) In this season Colin Chapman’s innovative Lotus reached the circuit, instead of the expected and 72 with its chisel nose, wedge-shaped aerodynamics well-known sounds of a McLaren test day, there was and side-mounted radiators would become the class of an ominous silence hanging over the whole area, as the field. still as the warm summer air. Then we heard that Team March entered the championship and one dreadful, urgent, two-note ambulance siren… Bruce of the founders of the British team was Max Mosley was dead, they said. And I couldn’t understand how – later the long time president of the FIA. March had the sun could keep shining so brightly and how barely begun to make Formula 3 cars in 1969 when the birds could keep singing so nicely. It was all the STANDINGS the owners decided to jump to Formula 1. And what same, yet it could never be the same again.” 45 Jochen Rindt (lotus ford) a jump it was. The front row before the first race in At the Belgium Grand Prix all the teams praised 40 Jacky Ickx (ferrari) 33 Clay Regazonni (ferrari) South African Republic was filled with March racing the performance of Pedro Rodriguez. This is a rare 27 Denny Hulme (mclaren ford) cars. Chris Amon sat in one of them, and Jackie thing in Formula 1. John Blunsdel (Motor Racing 25 Jackie Stewart (march ford, tyrrell ford) Jack Brabham (brabham ford) Stewart in the other. Jackie switched to Team Tyrell Year) wrote: “The Mexican had a great start from 23 Pedro Rodriguez (BRM) Chris Amon (march ford) Ford even before the season was over, and the first race the third row and was already fourth after the first 16 Jean-Pierre Beltoise (matra) for Ken Tyrell was the Canadian Grand Prix. John lap – behind the March duo Amon and Stewart, and 12 Emerson Fittipaldi (lotus ford) 10 Rolf Stommelen (brabham ford) Surtees, the 1964 champion, meanwhile established his Rindt in a Lotus 49C. On the third lap he overtook 8 Henri Pescarolo (matra) own team Surtees Ford. It debuted at the British Grand Rindt, a lap later he took care of Stewart, and on 7 Graham Hill (lotus ford) 6 Bruce McLaren (mclaren ford) Prix. hadn’t been tested enough. Rindt’s win in Monaco was the fifth lap he passed Amon as well. Rodriguez 4 Mario Andretti (march ford) Reine Wisell (lotus ford) This season saw two debuts of drivers who would special for two reasons. Rarely had it happened that the deserved the win, for it came without any bad luck 3 Ignazio Giunti (ferrari) later be seen in the Hall of Fame. The Brazilian winner led only the last lap of the race or better yet last from other competitors.” John Surtees (mclaren ford, surtees ford) 2 John Miles (lotus ford) Emerson Fittipaldi first raced in a Lotus at the British couple of meters, and that a driver set a fastest lap of At the Dutch Grand Prix Piers Courage was Jackie Oliver (BRM) Grand Prix where he finished eighth. And the Swede the race in the last lap. killed in a De Tomaso Ford, after his car flew off Johnny Servoz-Gavin (march ford) 1 François Cevert (march ford) Ronnie Peterson debuted at Monaco where he was During testing at Goodwood prior to the race in track and the Brit burned to death in the cockpit. Peter Gethin (mclaren ford) Dan Gurney (mclaren ford) seventh in his March. Belgium Bruce McLaren had been killed. Journalist Jackie Stewart: “My wife Helen and I saw more Derek Bell (brabham ford, surtees ford) At the first race in South African Republic Jack David Phipps, who wanted to see him in action, but deaths in three years than most people see in their TEAMS Brabham won at the age of 43 and he knew he would was running late, later wrote: “Bruce had been testing lifetimes. Four weeks after Clark’s death in 1968 59 Lotus Ford retire at the end of the season. Two races later he had the car for the CanAm series. He had promised to drive Mike Spence was killed in Indianapolis; four weeks 52 Ferrari 48 March Ford a leading role in one of the most dramatic finishes of me round the track in it, once it was sorted out to his after his death Ludovico Scarfiotti; four weeks after 35 Brabham Ford McLaren Ford all time. In the last corner of the Monaco Grand Prix satisfaction, and this was to be the day. We were a bit that Jo Schlesser at Rouen; two weeks ago Bruce 23 BRM he crashed into the guardrail and therefore let the win late getting away, but it was such a glorious morning, McLaren at Goodwood; and now Piers. The list Matra 3 Surtees Ford to Jochen Rindt in the old Lotus 49C, for Lotus 72 there didn’t seem to be any great urgency. When we just doesn’t want to end.” Dan Gurney: “Not long ago I was in a hospital bed and counting the people I corner. Jacky Ickx: “I’m sure Jochen was happy all the with passion.” After Rindt’s death many started to Race Pole Winner had known and had died in the world of racing. After way to his death, for drivers are happiest people if they wonder if any driver could gather more than 45 points, GP SOUTH AFRICA Stewart Brabham (3) an hour the number stopped at 57.” But the tragedies are behind a steering wheel. Even those last 2 seconds which was Rindt’s amount up to the Italian Grand GP SPAIN Brabham Stewart (3) weren’t over yet. At the Dutch Grand Prix Jochen of drama couldn’t take away his happiness from him, Prix, and take away the title from the fast Austrian. GP MONACO Stewart Rindt (8) Rindt was killed after brake failure in the Parabolica because we take the battle with an out of control car Prior to the race in Italy, when 36 points still were GP BELGIUM Stewart Rodriguez (6) GP NETHERLANDS Rindt Rindt GP FRANCE Ickx Rindt (6) GP GREAT BRITAIN Rindt Rindt »Four weeks after Clark’s death in 1968 Mike Spence was GP GERMANY Ickx Rindt (2) GP AUSTRIA Rindt Ickx (3) killed in Indianapolis; four weeks after his death GP ITALY Ickx Regazzoni (3) GP CANADA Stewart Ickx (2) Ludovico Scarfiotti; four weeks after that Jo Schlesser at GP USA* Ickx Fittipaldi (3) GP MEXICO Regazzoni Ickx (3) Rouen; two weeks ago Bruce McLaren at Goodwood; and now Most wins Most pole positions Piers. The list just doesn’t want to end.« 5 Rindt 4 Ickx 3 Ickx Stewart JACKIE STEWART 1 Regazzoni 3 Rindt Stewart 1 Regazzoni Brabham Brabham available, as much as eight drivers still had theoretical Rodriguez chances of winning the championship – and with the Fittipaldi exception of Emerson Fittipaldi they were all later in the top 10 of the points table. The best chances were in 6 Lotus 5 Ferrari the hands of Jack Brabham (25 points), Jackie Stewart 4 Ferrari 3 Lotus 1 March March and Denny Hulme (both with 19), but all failed to Brabham 1 Brabham lower the margin behind Jochen Rindt – the Austrian BRM Tyrrell still had an advantage of more than 20 points after the Italian race. Prior to the Canadian race, which was won by Ickx, only 5 drivers counted on winning the championship: Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart (both with 25 points), Denny Hulme (22), the Swiss Clay Regazzoni (21) and Jacky Ickx (19). But after the race only Jackie Ickx still had a chance, but he had to win the remaining two races. This didn’t happen, for Emerson Fittipaldi won the US Grand Prix, and Jochen Rindt therefore became the only driver to receive the title posthumously. 1971 JACKIE STEWART (Tyrrell Ford) The Scot Jackie Stewart swept with competition too much. The ironic thing is that he got into the lead in 1971 just like he did in 1969. And again in a with the thing; he should never have been in the lead partnership with Ken Tyrell, only this time at team with this clapped-out car, but there it was. Tragic; your Tyrell and not Matra. Stewart won 5 out of the first life’s thrown away in a clapped-out car in a clapped-out 7 races and was second on one of the remaining two bloody race.” After the last race of the season Parnell races. After the German Grand Prix the chances of once more lost a driver, this time it was the Swiss Jo his closest rival Jacky Ickx practically didn’t exist. Siffert. Three weeks after the US Grand Prix Siffert got Ickx had to win 3 out of the remaining 4 races into a tragic accident at a non-championship race at and achieve a second place at the fourth race. At Brands Hatch, where he got tangled up with Ronnie the same time the Belgian driver had to count on Peterson. It was a big blow for the BRM team which STANDINGS 62 Jackie Stewart (tyrrell ford) Stewart failing to score a single point at those four never really recovered and slowly vanished from the 33 Ronnie Peterson (march ford, march alfa romeo) races. That didn’t happen and the Scot crowned front row. 26 François Cevert (tyrrell ford) 19 Jacky Ickx (ferrari) himself in Austria (Austrian GP was also the debut The race of the season was the Italian Grand 19 Jo Siffert (BRM) 16 Emerson Fittipaldi (lotus ford, lotus pratt & whitney) race of the local hero Niki Lauda who was champion Prix in Monza, where at the finish 5 cars had been 13 Clay Regazzoni (ferrari) in 1975, 1977 and 1984). Eight people col aborated separated by 61 hundreds of a second. This was also 12 Mario Andretti (ferrari) 9 Peter Gethin (mclaren ford, BRM) in making the winning Tyrell racing car. In the new the fastest race for more than 30 years, for the winner Pedro Rodriguez (BRM) millennium team McLaren had so many workers just Peter Gethin from Britain finished the competition Chris Amon (matra) Reine Wisell (lotus ford, lotus pratt & whitney) in the section for painting. The surprise of the season series USAC or better yet IndyCar, he won the Indy with an average speed of 150.75mph or little over Denny Hulme (mclaren ford) 5 Tim Schenken (brabham ford) was the Swede Ronnie Peterson. The SuperSwede, 500 race, and so on. 240kph. The record was broken in 2003 at the same Howden Ganley (BRM) as he was called, was runner-up in 4 races, on three Between the races in France and Great Britain the track when Michael Schumacher managed to do it 4 Mark Donohue (mclaren ford) Henri Pescarolo (march ford) occasions behind Stewart. Mexican Pedro Rodriguez of the BRM team tragically with a speed of 247.59kph in a Ferrari. They both had 3 Mike Hailwood (surtees ford) At the first race of the season in South African lost his life. Tim Parnell, the team manager of BRM, 3-litre engines in their cars. The only difference is that John Surtees (surtees ford) Rolf Stommelen (surtees ford) Republic Mario Andretti won in his first race for was not only shaken when he heard the news, but also Gethin raced on a track without the 3 chicanes. For the 2 Graham Hill (brabham ford) 1 Jean-Pierre Beltoise (matra) Scuderia Ferrari. Mario Andretti: “This was one of very angry. Tim Parnell: “We’d gone to Silverstone, we first 37 laps, the race was a high-speed, slipstreaming those events that you longed for, the ones where you were all ready for the British Grand Prix, we’d tested, dogfight, with Peterson, Stewart, Cevert, Regazzoni, TEAMS 73 Tyrrell Ford thought: ‘I’ve got to put this one under my belt.’ the cars were looking good and fit, and then some Hailwood, Siffert and Amon taking numerous turns 36 BRM Those are the ones you remember. Then that feeling stupid idiot rang up from the blinking Norisring and at leading. From lap 37 to 46 Amon seemed to exert a 33 Ferrari March Ford of driving into Victory lane or crossing the finish they kept pestering Pedro, pestering him to drive this measure of control, only to have his advantage wiped 21 Lotus Ford 10 McLaren Ford line – it is indescribable.” Andretti has only one title bloody car there. It was an old clapped-out Ferrari car out in the blink of an eye. The hapless Kiwi would 9 Matra in Formula 1, but still he is in the Hall of Fame. He that he’d been doing some film work. I said to him that finish sixth, half a minute behind the leading group. 8 Surtees Ford 5 Brabham Ford was a versatile driver. He won titles in the American he’s crazy to go there, but the money they offered was Chris Amon: “I had enough breathing space to think about my preparation for the end of the race. I had frantically jockeyed for position. With only 500 yards was very good through the gears at Parabolica (last Race Pole Winner a stack of tear-off visors, like we all used back then, to go, Ronnie Peterson, Francois Cevert, Peter Gethin, corner of the Monza track) so I knew that if I was GP SOUTH AFRICA Stewart Andretti (4) but when I went to tear off the top one so that I had a Mike Hailwood and Howden Ganley lunged en masse into the top three going into or hal way round the GP SPAIN Ickx Stewart (4) clear view for the remaining laps, all of them came off for the finish line. Peter Gethin: “I was working my corner, the car was capable of winning. When Ronnie GP MONACO Stewart Stewart at the same time.” On the last lap, the front-runners strategy backwards from the finishing line. The BRM and Francois were running side by side I went flying GP NETHERLANDS Ickx Ickx GP FRANCE Stewart Stewart GP GREAT BRITAIN Regazzoni Stewart (2) GP GERMANY Stewart Stewart »I had enough breathing space to think about my preparations GP AUSTRIA* Siffert Siffert GP ITALY Amon Gethin (11) for the end of the race. I had a stack of tear-off visors, like GP CANADA Stewart Stewart GP USA Stewart Cevert (5) we all used back then, but when I went to tear off the top one so Most wins Most pole positions that I had a clear view for the remaining laps, all of 6 Stewart 6 Stewart 1 Cevert 2 Ickx them came off at the same time.« Ickx 1 Siffert Siffert Regazzoni Andretti Amon CHRIS AMON Gethin down the inside of them, a bit on the grass I seem to 7 Tyrrell 6 Tyrrell remember. But I couldn’t stop anyway. If either of them 2 BRM 3 Ferrari had come across I would have hit them. I remember Ferrari 1 BRM thinking I was in the right place, the lead, so whatever Matra I did – even if it meant going off – I was going to keep my foot down in every gear. I went through the first part of the corner sideways, using maximum revs. I think Ronnie had an engine problem, maybe a broken exhaust, but in any case he came out of my slipstream after we had crossed the line.” Later that night, there was a party for the BRM mechanics at the Serenissima Hotel. When they were leaving, they realised one of the cars had a puncture, and it had to be replaced. Peter Gethin himself handled the problem. Peter Gethin: “Yes, there I was, changing the left rear wheel. I’d just won the Italian Grand Prix, my one and only Formula 1 victory, and there I was sweating away, with all the other drivers laughing at me.” 1972 EMERSON FITTIPALDI (Lotus Ford) In a season which had 44 racing drivers, Emerson in those days was Ickx. Louis Stanley, the BRM team Fittipaldi became the first world champion from Brazil manager, remembered: “Jean-Pierre had a great start and the youngest one until Fernando Alonso in the and out-braked Ickx before the first corner. Then he new millennium. When he secured the title in Italy, disappeared in a cloud of water spray. He led the whole he was only 25 years old. He drove a recognizable 80 laps and set the fastest lap of the race as well. He black Lotus with the golden sign of the John Player was never threatened and his BRM worked superbly… Special sponsor. At the first 10 races he stood on the It was a marvellous win, the fifth for BRM at Monaco. podium 8-times, of those 5-times on the top step. Jean-Pierre became a national hero in France and the Emerson Fittipaldi: “The 1972 season was absolutely newspaper Le Monde even put him on the front page. incredible. The car was competitive on most of the At the gala dinner with the royal family he celebrated STANDINGS tracks and almost every time I managed to qualify into his win with a big smile on his face. It was his first and 61 Emerson Fittipaldi (lotus ford) the first two rows. I was overjoyed with the win and last win as a Formula 1 driver – but in what way did he 45 Jackie Stewart (tyrrell ford) 39 Denny Hulme (mclaren ford) the title in Italy. I can remember quite well of how I achieve it?!” 27 Jacky Ickx (ferrari) 23 Peter Revson (mclaren ford) felt after crossing the finish line in Monza – absolutely At the Belgian Grand Prix Fittipaldi won the race 15 François Cevert (tyrrell ford) wonderful.” in an easier way, for Jackie Stewart was missing due Clay Regazzoni (ferrari) 13 Mike Hailwood (surtees ford) This time the season began in Argentina and ended to health problems. The hyperactive Scot simply had 12 Ronnie Peterson (march ford) in USA, where the 1979 champion Jody Scheckter too much. Jackie Stewart: “In those days I had a lot Chris Amon (matra) 9 Jean-Pierre Beltoise (BRM) from South African Republic had his debut in a drivers were having their pit-stops. His mechanics more on my mind than just racing. I had obligations 4 Mario Andretti (ferrari) Howden Ganley (BRM) McLaren Ford. This first race of the season saw the changed only tyres on the left side of his Brabham, and towards my sponsors, had to entertain guests, give Brian Redman (mclaren ford, BRM) motorsport world raising an eyebrow or two, for the he finished the race in seventh position. This was a speeches during breakfasts and dinners. And we were Graham Hill (brabham ford) 3 Carlos Reutemann (brabham ford) local hero Carlos Reutemann secured himself pole in strong performance of the local hero, but the team was testing like crazy. At Kyalami we tested for 18 days, Andrea de Adamich (surtees ford) his first ever Formula 1 race. The Brabham driver – the disappointed with the result.” we did two race distances per day. It was the same at Carlos Pace (march ford) 2 Tim Schenken (surtees ford) team was now owned by Bernie Ecclestone – beat the At Monaco the Frenchman Jean-Pierre Beltoise Paul Ricard. There was basically war between the tyre 1 Arturo Merzario (ferrari) Peter Gethin (BRM) reigning world champion Jackie Stewart at the Buenos surprised the competition. Former motorcycle manufacturers. And it wasn’t just Formula 1 that was Aires track by 22 hundreds of a second. Journalist competitor raced with a mutilated hand which was a exhausting me. I raced in the American series CanAm, TEAMS 61 Lotus Ford Alan Henry wrote: “Team Brabham made the wrong consequence of a horrible accident at the beginning of so one week I was in America, while the other was 51 Tyrrell Ford choice when they decided to use the qualifying tyres his career. On the tight and twisted Monte Carlo track spent in Europe, and so on. I don’t want to criticize 47 McLaren Ford 33 Ferrari for the race as well. Stewart launched himself into the Beltoise qualified fourth in his underpowered BRM, today’s drivers, but they have a lot less stressful life than 18 Surtees Ford 15 March Ford lead after the start, while Reutemann drove well in right behind Fittipaldi, Ickx and Regazzoni (both in we did. And we mustn’t forget that drivers of my time 14 BRM second place in the opening few laps. However, the Ferraris). Nobody considered him as the winner, even put their heads on the plate basically every time they 12 Matra 7 Brabham Ford Argentine fell to fourth by lap 45, when most of the in wet and cold condition. After al , the ‘rain-master’ sat in a racing car. On my birthday in 1972 – 11th of June – Jo Bonnier was killed at Le Mans.” ranks as Fittipaldi and Stewart. At Clermont-Ferrand, himself into the lead, while Hulme wasn’t satisfied with Race Pole Winner At the French Grand Prix Chris Amon came mini Nürbürgring as they liked to call the French track, the handling of his McLaren and had to let his second GP ARGENTINA Reutemann Stewart (2) closest of winning a Grand Prix race. Experts in those Amon qualified on pole with his Matra. He was almost position to Stewart. But the Scot couldn’t have done GP SOUTH AFRICA Stewart Hulme (5) days believed the New Zealander was as fast as Jim a second faster than Denny Hulme in a McLaren. anything to overtake Amon. Or could he have? On the GP SPAIN Ickx Fittipaldi (3) Clark on his day, so he should’ve been in the same Autocourse wrote down: “At the start, Amon launched 20th lap, which was a little more than half the distance GP MONACO Fittipaldi Beltoise (4) GP BELGIUM Fittipaldi Fittipaldi GP FRANCE Amon Stewart (3) GP GREAT BRITAIN Ickx Fittipaldi (2) »The 1972 season was absolutely incredible. The car GP GERMANY Ickx Ickx GP AUSTRIA Fittipaldi Fittipaldi was competitive on most of the tracks and almost every time I GP ITALY* Ickx Fittipaldi (6) GP CANADA Revson Stewart (5) managed to qualify into the first two rows. I was overjoyed with the GP USA Stewart Stewart win and the title in Italy. I can remember of how I felt after Most wins Most pole positions 5 Fittipaldi 4 Ickx crossing the line in Monza - absolutely wonderful.« 4 Stewart 3 Fittipaldi 1 Hulme 2 Stewart Ickx 1 Revson EMERSON FITTIPALDI Beltoise Amon Reutemann of the race, Stewart found himself in the lead, for poor Amon had to make an unexpected pit-stop due 5 Lotus 4 Ferrari a puncture on one of his front tyres. For Amon, now 4 Tyrrell 3 Lotus in 8th place, chances of winning seemed impossible… 1 McLaren 2 Tyrrell A few laps from the end of the race the Frenchman Ferrari 1 McLaren BRM Matra Cevert was driving in fourth place, but who was that Brabham behind him? It was Amon driving like never before. He sat a serious of fastest laps with his Matra and was overtaking with ease. He got by Cevert as well and at the end finished the race in third place. The French Grand Prix was a clear indication that Stewart was usually the lucky one, while Amon was the unlucky one.” The German race was won by Jackie Ickx who was delighting the Old Enzo with his performances on the track. The Belgian driver was later known for his wins at the 24 Hour Le Mans race. They were surpassed by Tom Kristensen in the new millenium. 1973 JACKIE STEWART (Tyrrell Ford) Almost from the start the then two time championship. But the next five races saw him retire Formula 1 World Champion Jackie Stewart from four times, while at the same time Stewart won twice Scotland knew that it would be his last season as a and was second in one of the other races, giving the racing driver. But only three people were privy in Scot a good position before the end of the season. the secret of his intended retirement. Jackie Stewart: At the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami the “I only told Ken Tyrell, and Walter Hayes and John Swiss driver Clay Regazzoni crashed his BRM early in Waddell at Ford. Even Francois Cevert didn’t know the race. In seconds the BRM was aflame, with ‘Regga’ that I was going. He was nearly going to leave Ken unconscious in the cockpit. Only the intervention of – an offer from Ferrari was tickling him. I told him Mike Hailwood, who crashed in the same incident, STANDINGS he needed one more year with me. I think he would saved his life. The multiple motorcycling champion 71 Jackie Stewart (tyrrell ford) 55 Emerson Fittipaldi (lotus ford) have won the championship in 1974 for Ken. My dived into the flames to rescue him. Mike Hailwood: 52 Ronnie Peterson (lotus ford) wife Helen never knew. I didn’t want her thinking of “It started on the second lap. Carlos Reutemann was 47 François Cevert (tyrrell ford) 38 Peter Revson (mclaren ford) ten green bottles.” in front of me. Dave Charlton from South Africa was 26 Denny Hulme (mclaren ford) 16 Carlos Reutemann (brabham ford) Lotus and Tyrell were the dominant teams in front of Reutemann. At the first corner, Charlton 14 James Hunt (march ford) on the tracks, occasionally McLaren surprised the started to lose it. He got the car sideways. Reutemann 12 Jacky Ickx (ferrari, mclaren ford, iso marlboro ford) 9 Jean-Pierre Beltoise (BRM) field. At Lotus the Swedish driver Ronnie Peterson managed to squeeze through the gap. Charlton’s car 7 Carlos Pace (surtees ford) completely surprised his teammate Emerson began to come back, as a spinning car does. I went 6 Arturo Merzario (ferrari) 5 George Follmer (shadow ford) Fittipaldi from Brazil and by the middle of the after only four races – he was third at the Dutch Grand over its nose which bent the left suspension. Then 4 Jackie Oliver (shadow ford) 3 Andrea de Adamich (surtees ford, brabham ford) season it was clear he was the faster driver of the Prix. Charlton was out the way beside a guardrail. I was Wilson Fittipaldi (brabham ford) duo. However, Colin Chapman refused to give team The season was tragic again, for at Zandvoort and creeping along. The next thing I knew was a great thud 2 Niki Lauda (BRM) Clay Regazzoni (BRM) orders. This would turn out to be a handicap, for Watkins Glen Roger Williamson in a March Ford and and crash.” Regazzoni’s car crashed into Hailwood’s 1 Howden Ganley (iso marlboro ford) at Tyrell Francois Cevert was told even before the Francois Cevert in a Tyrell had been killed. Surtees on the bend. Then the Ferrari of Jacky Ickx Gijs van Lennep (iso marlboro ford) Chris Amon (tecno, tyrrell ford) first race of the season that he is supposed to help The first race of the season was the Argentine crashed into them both. Ickx managed to jump clear, TEAMS Stewart wherever he can. Grand Prix at Buenos Aires, where it was very hot. but he was slightly injured. Mike Hailwood: “I was 92 Lotus Ford For the first time since 1958 the World Cup Emerson Fittipaldi: “It was so hot, that the journalist enveloped in flames. The cars were burning merrily 82 Tyrrell Ford 58 McLaren Ford for Constructors wasn’t won by the team which Peter Lyon came up with an English saying ‘The aires away. They were interlocked. I undid my straps of my 22 Brabham Ford crowned the best driver of the field. Since 1973 this are buenos.’” Fittipaldi won that race. He later claimed harness and extricated myself. I could see that ‘Regga’ 14 March Ford 12 Ferrari happened on numerous occasions. it was the best win of his career, for he had to overtake was slumped unconscious in the BRM. I leaped across BRM 9 Shadow Ford James Hunt from Britain debuted in a March both Stewart and Cevert in the Tyrell racing cars. and undid his seat belts. I was trying to pull him out 7 Surtees Ford Ford of the privateer Alexander Hesketh. Hunt, who He won the next race as well and all the way to the by one arm which was all I could get at. To pull a 2 Iso Marlboro Ford 1 Tecno became champion in 1976, stepped on the podium French Grand Prix he was the leading driver of the man out of a car like that is a difficult thing at best of times. There was petrol everywhere. I burst into flames. and with a couple of marshals, got him free. He was him. He was tight-lipped, drawn and ashen-faced. And Race Pole Winner Frantically, I ran across to the other side of the track still unconscious, though not seriously hurt as it he was more than a bit anxious to get away from the GP ARGENTINA Regazzoni Fittipaldi (2) where there was grass and sand. I flung myself down turned out.” Clay Regazzoni: “It was so brave of Mike, place. In fact, he was very agitated about leaving and GP BRAZIL Peterson Fittipaldi (2) and rolled around to put out the flames. Regga’s blaze and there is no doubt I owe him my life.” Mike’s wife couldn’t wait, so we got on the bike we’d come on and GP SOUTH AFRICA Hulme Stewart (16) was extinguished by marshals and officials who were Pauline Hailwood: “I can recall vividly that Mike came rode off. And in total silence too. I thought he must GP SPAIN Peterson Fittipaldi (7) trying to get him out. Then the car burst into flames walking up the pit lane and he looked terrible, worse have had a really big hairy moment and didn’t want to GP BELGIUM Peterson Stewart (6) again. I went back, grabbed him under the armpits, than I’d ever seen him look all the time I had known talk about it. I thought he must have scared himself GP MONACO Stewart Stewart GP SWEDEN Peterson Hulme (6) GP FRANCE Stewart Peterson (5) GP GREAT BRITAIN Peterson Revson (3) »There was petrol everywhere. I burst into flames. GP NETHERLANDS Peterson Stewart (2) GP GERMANY Stewart Stewart Frantically, I ran across to the other side of the track where there GP AUSTRIA Fittipaldi Peterson (2) GP ITALY* Peterson Peterson GP CANADA Peterson Revson (2) was grass and sand. I flung myself down and rolled around GP USA Peterson Peterson to put out the flames.« Most wins Most pole positions 5 Stewart 9 Peterson MIKE HAILWOOD 4 Peterson 3 Stewart 3 Fittipaldi 1 Fittipaldi so much he just wanted to forget… The next morning 2 Revson Hulme the papers arrived and I was staggered to see what he 1 Hulme Regazzoni had done. I read about it, and I still couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing in black and white in front 7 Lotus 10 Lotus of me. A marshal was standing there doing nothing, 5 Tyrrell 3 Tyrrell 3 McLaren 1 McLaren apparently having giving up any hope of Clay’s chances. BRM But not my Mike. In he went and he only came out when his clothes caught fire. He doused them out and went in again. This time he managed to haul big old Clay to safety.” At the British Grand Prix Jody Sheckter caused one of the biggest pile-ups in Formula 1 history. Several cars were destroyed, but by miracle only the Italian Andrea de Adamich was injured. Andrea drove 214 races in F1, but never won. The championship was decided in Italy, where even a swap of places between Peterson and Fittipaldi couldn’t help the Brazilian retain the title. 1974 EMERSON FITTIPALDI (McLaren Ford) In 1974 team McLaren won their first world failed to be quicker, I could kiss my contract with championship title. Emerson Fittipaldi helped the Scuderia goodbye. I told Forghieri to change the front Brits to become one of the best teams in the sport, end of the car and he did that. Ten days later we tested in fact, by the end of the 2013 season only Ferrari again, this time with a different front suspension, was better. and I was 6 tenths of a second faster. From then on I Emerson Fittipaldi became the youngest double had total confidence of the Old Man concerning the world champion. This record was beaten 21 years development of the car.” later by the German ace Michael Schumacher, and Eighteen teams raced in the 1974 season, but his was beaten by another German – Sebastian only 10 managed to enter all the races. Of the new STANDINGS Vettel in 2011. Fittipaldi later established his own teams (Amon Ford, Penske Ford, and so on) one 55 Emerson Fittipaldi (mclaren ford) 52 Clay Regazzoni (ferrari) team, but in his efforts of being successful he lost too surprised the field the most. It was Hesketh Ford with 45 Jody Scheckter (tyrrell ford) many years, and returned to the top of motorsports the promising young racing driver James Hunt. It 38 Niki Lauda (ferrari) 35 Ronnie Peterson (lotus ford) in the 80’s, when he started winning races and titles was a colourful surprise, as it turned out. The British 32 Carlos Reutemann (brabham ford) 20 Denny Hulme (mclaren ford) in the American series CART or better yet IndyCar. journalist Keith Botsford recalled: “It was a year of 15 James Hunt (march ford, hesketh ford) The championship of 1974 was suspenseful and party and night life for Team Hesketh, with some good 14 Patrick Depailler (tyrrell ford) 12 Jacky Ickx (lotus ford) filled with variety. Fittipaldi and 6 other drivers results of a reliable car, which was constantly modified Mike Hailwood (mclaren ford) managed to win a Grand Prix race. by Dr. Harvey Postlethwaite. Lord Alexander Hesketh 11 Carlos Pace (surtees ford, brabham ford) 10 Jean-Pierre Beltoise (BRM) After the British Grand Prix Fittipaldi and track at Fiorano for the first time, I was amazed. But was a man in his mid 20’s, chubby, and with a character 6 Jean-Pierre Jarier (shadow ford) John Watson (brabham ford) Niki Lauda shared equal amount of points, 38 to at the same time I wondered, how this team – with all similar to the one from the 60’s. He flew too high 5 Hans-Joachim Stuck (march ford) be exact, while Clay Regazzoni and Jody Scheckter of the things I’ve seen there – wasn’t able to win races. with his ambitions, as did the oil tycoon Walter Wolf, 4 Arturo Merzario (iso marlboro ford) 1 Graham Hill (lola ford) had 35. But by the end of the season, thus meaning Despite all of this, problems had existed. By comparing a descendent from Slovenia, after him. His number 1 Tom Pryce (token ford, shadow ford) at the remaining five races, Lauda failed to finish the BRM car – with which I raced in 1973 – with the driver was James Hunt who had many accidents at the Vittorio Brambilla (march ford) a race, so the young Austrian was out of the title Ferrari, I noticed that the ‘red devil’ had far too much beginning of his racing career. Thus the knick-name TEAMS 73 McLaren Ford chase – even though he promised the most out of all under-steer. After the first tests I said the car was ‘shit.’ Hunt the Shunt. Hunt’s wife Suzy later left him for 65 Ferrari the drivers, for he had most pole positions that year. Piero Ferrari (the illegitimate son of Enzo Ferrari) Hollywood movie star Richard Burton.” 52 Tyrrell Ford 42 Lotus Ford At first Ferrari wanted to hire the New Zealander immediately warned me I couldn’t say such things The 1974 season saw the debut of the Italian 35 Brabham Ford Chris Amon, then Scuderia chased the American out-loud, but I didn’t want to change my opinion. The racing driver Lella Lombardi, who would later become 15 Hesketh Ford 10 BRM Peter Revson, but finally they chose the young Old Man asked me, of how much faster I could go, the only woman in Formula 1 to finish a race in the 7 Shadow Ford 6 March Ford Niki Lauda. The Austrian made a huge impression if they fixed the car. I answered that he could count points. Lella debuted at the British Grand Prix driving 4 Iso Marlboro Ford on Enzo Ferrari. Niki Lauda: “When I visited the on at least a half a second. Enzo ordered his engineer a Brabham Ford, but failed to qualify for the race. A 3 Surtees Ford 1 Lola Ford Ferrari factory in Maranello and the private test Mauro Forghieri to do whatever I wanted, but if I year later it was a different story, when she entered 12 races with her March and Williams Ford and only the finish line, 2 laps down behind the winner Tony Racing League). In 1977 the American Janet Guthrie Race Pole Winner once failed to qualify. For the prematurely stopped Brooks in a Vanwal . After Lella Lombardi several became the first woman to race at the famous Indy 500 GP ARGENTINA Peterson Hulme (10) race in Spain, where she was sixth, she received half other women tried their luck in F1: Divina Galica from competition. Her compatriot Lyn St. James was even GP BRAZIL Fittipaldi Fittipaldi a point. Her other results of that season were a 7th, Britian, Desire Wilson from South Africa, and the the rookie of that event in 1992. In 2002 Sarah Fisher GP SOUTH AFRICA Lauda Reutemann (4) 14th, 17th, and 18th place. But she wasn’t the first Italian Giovanna Amati. The latter raced in a Brabham became the first woman pole sitter, and in 2008 Danica GP SPAIN Lauda Lauda woman to compete in Formula 1. Her compatriot in 1992, but was replaced by Damon Hill after the Patrick even won a race – it was in Motegi. Danica GP BELGIUM Regazzoni Fittipaldi (4) Maria Teresa De Filippis stunned F1 in 1958, when first three races. The British Grand Prix of 1976 was was mentioned as the next woman after Giovanna GP MONACO Lauda Peterson (3) GP SWEDEN Depailler Scheckter (2) she entered the Monaco Grand Prix with her Maserati. the only venue where two women tried to qualify for Amati to drive in Formula 1! It has to be underlined GP NETHERLANDS Lauda Lauda She wasn’t able to qualify for the race, but she managed the race, but both Lella Lombardi and Divina Galica that women tried out as racing drivers even before the GP FRANCE Lauda Peterson (2) to do this with her next attempt at the Belgian Grand failed in their attempts. Women drivers had better championship was established in 1950; several entered GP GREAT BRITAIN Lauda Scheckter (3) Prix the same year. She qualified 19th, but was last at results in the American version of F1, called IRL (Indy Grand Prix races: Eliška Junkova from Czechoslovakia, GP GERMANY Lauda Regazzoni (2) GP AUSTRIA Lauda Reutemann (2) GP ITALY Lauda Peterson (7) GP CANADA Fittipaldi Fittipaldi »Lord Alexander Hesketh flew too high with his ambitions, as GP USA* Reutemann Reutemann did the oil tycoon Walter Wolf after him.« Most wins Most pole positions KEITH BOTSFORD 3 Fittipaldi 9 Lauda Peterson 2 Fittipaldi Reutemann 1 Regazzoni Helle Nice from France, and the Canadian Kay Petre. 2 Scheckter Peterson Back to the 1974 season. It was the debut year in Lauda Reutemann Formula 1 for Ian Scheckter, the younger brother of 1 Regazzoni Depailler the well-known Jody Scheckter. But after 18 races in Hulme several seasons Ian realised he wasn’t going to make it 4 McLaren 10 Ferrari in F1. These sorts of attempts of relatives were often 3 Ferrari 2 McLaren before and after the 1974 season. Lotus 1 Tyrrell At the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, Brabham Lotus the last race of the season, three drivers had a chance of 2 Tyrrell Brabham becoming a world champion. Fittipaldi and Regazzoni shared 52 points, while Scheckter had 45. The latter wasn’t able to finish the race, while Regazzoni crossed the finish line as eleventh. Fittipaldi was fourth, behind the winner Reutemann, the Brazilian Carlos Pace (both in Brabhams) and James Hunt in a Hesketh. With the fourth place Emo, as they liked to call Fittipaldi, secured himself three points and his second Formula 1 title. 1975 NIKI LAUDA (Ferrari) Andreas Nikolaus Lauda or shorter Niki Lauda circumstances. I believed then, and I still believe, learned a lot from the mistakes he did in 1974. He that the organisers of the race were completely celebrated his first title at the race before last. He irresponsible. It was a very difficult weekend for didn’t start the season well, for at the first 4 races me, very difficult – particularly when none of the he only managed to sum up 5 world championship other drivers supported me.” In the end, team points. But at the remaining 10 races he failed to place chiefs organised parties of their mechanics to himself on the podium on only 2 occasions. He also tighten the loose bolts on the barriers. In the spirit fell in love with his future wife Marlene, which made of camaraderie, practice was completed, and the STANDINGS 64,5 Niki Lauda (ferrari) his year even more enjoyable. Niki Lauda: “Those race went ahead. It was initially marred by several 45 Emerson Fittipaldi (mclaren ford) were the best days of my life.” On the way to his first accidents. Then tragedy came on the 26th lap when 37 Carlos Reutemann (brabham ford) 33 James Hunt (hesketh ford) title he was helped by his competitors themselves, the single rear-wing post broke on Rolf Stommelen’s 25 Clay Regazzoni (ferrari) for the season had lots of different winners. Lauda race-leading Embassy Hill. The car slid along the 24 Carlos Pace (brabham ford) 20 Jody Scheckter (tyrell ford) and 8 other drivers managed to step on the highest top of the guardrail, plunging into a marshal’s post. Jochen Mass (mclaren ford) 12 Patrick Depailler (tyrell ford) podium position. His competitors ‘stole’ points from A Spanish fireman and an American photographer 8 Tom Pryce (shadow ford) each other, consequently letting Lauda ‘escape’ with a were killed. Stommelen sustained broken legs. Nigel 6,5 Vittorio Brambilla (march ford) 6 Jacques Laffite (williams ford) margin that couldn’t be caught. Roebuck: “It was just unforgettable, seeing Rolf Ronnie Peterson (lotus ford) The 1975 season, which had more teams than still slumped in the wreckage of the car at the top 5 Mario Andretti (parnelli ford) 4 Mark Donohue (penske ford, march ford) the year 1974, began in January with a mini South- had killed Roger Williamson, Francois Cevert, of the hill, conscious and staring straight ahead; 3 Jacky Ickx (lotus ford) 2 Alan Jones (hesketh ford, hill ford) American tour in Argentina and Brazil. It continued Peter Revson and Helmuth Koiningg. They knew and clearly in huge pain from broken legs. Under 1,5 Jean-Pierre Jarier (shadow ford, shadow matra) with the South African Grand Prix at the beginning of we should have taken more of a stand at Watkins the monocoque there was a body and the place was 1 Tony Brise (williams ford, hill ford) Gijs van Lennep (ensign ford) March, and the first race in Europe was at the end of Glen in 1973, when Cevert was killed. Some felt strewn with wreckage. There was a total absence of 0,5 Lella Lombardi (march ford, williams ford) April in Spain. that the GPDA’s apathy was a factor in Koinigg’s control. It really was the scene from Hell.” In the TEAMS The Spanish Grand Prix of 1975 was one of the death there a year later.” Jackie Stewart: “It’s hard to shadow of this tragedy the Australian Alan Jones, 72 Ferrari 54 Brabham Ford great scandals in Formula 1 history. The teams were believe how many Armco barriers weren’t assembled who would win the title several years later, made his 51,5 McLaren Ford literally held hostage and forced to race on a track correctly. I actually went round Barcelona myself, Formula 1 debut. 31 Hesketh Ford 25 Tyrrell Ford whose safety levels were completely unsuitable. Only checking for loose bolts.” Emerson Fittipaldi, the At the German Grand Prix, where Lauda was 9,5 Shadow Ford the fact that the paddock was located within a derelict reigning world champion, was so incensed, and felt just a step or two away from securing the title, 9 Lotus Ford 7,5 March Ford sports stadium, so that the organisers could realistically so strongly about the matter of principle, that he the world of racing witnessed his extraordinary 6 Williams Ford 5 Parnelli Ford threaten to lock in the teams until they co-operated, did only three slow practice laps, with one hand in qualifying lap around the 22 kilometres long 3 Hill Ford prevented a boycott. Denny Hulme: “All the drivers the air, and refused to race. Emerson Fittipaldi: “I Nürbürgring. The Austrian beat the competition by 2 Penske Ford 1 Ensign Ford could still remember the accident with Armco that have no doubt that what I did was correct in the 1.4 seconds. Niki Lauda: “It was ultimate madness: a first ever Nürbürgring lap under seven seconds. This knew then that I had cracked the seven minute barrier. me it was sheer stupidity. The antithesis between the Race Pole Winner came during Saturday qualifying and was possible only To be exact, my new Formula 1 lap record was 6:58.6. modern-day racing car and the Stone Age circuit was GP ARGENTINA Jarier Fittipaldi (5) because I was in a special sort of mood that day. As I And that’s how it stands to this day – no one has such that I knew every driver was taking his life in his GP BRAZIL Jarier Pace (6) flashed past the pits I glanced in my rear-view mirror ever driver the ‘Ring’ faster... I steeled myself to drive hands to the most ludicrous degree.” GP SOUTH AFRICA Pace Scheckter (3) and saw the mechanics waving their hands in the air. I that fast lap in 1975 although my brain kept telling During the warm-up session on the morning of GP SPAIN Lauda Mass (11) GP MONACO Lauda Lauda GP BELGIUM Lauda Lauda GP SWEDEN Brambilla Lauda (5) »It was just unforgettable, seing Rolf still slumped in the GP NETHERLANDS Lauda Hunt (3) GP FRANCE Lauda Lauda wreckage of the car at the top of the hill, conscious and staring GP GREAT BRITAIN Pryce Fittipaldi (7) GP GERMANY Lauda Reutemann (10) straight ahead; and clearly in huge pain from broken legs. GP AUSTRIA Lauda Brambilla (8) GP ITALY* Lauda Regazzoni (2) GP USA Lauda Lauda Under the monocoque there was a body and the place was strewn with wreckage. It was the scene from Hell.« Most wins Most pole positions 5 Lauda 9 Lauda NIGEL ROEBUCK 2 Fittipaldi 2 Jarier 1 Reutemann 1 Pace Hunt Pryce the Austrian race, American star Mark Donahue Regazzoni Brambilla crashed when his Penske March 751 suffered a Pace catastrophic puncture. The car went through several Scheckter layers of catch-fencing and he received a blow on the Mass head. Some tracks had up to 3 lines of these layers Brambilla of catch-fencing, tyre barriers came in use only years 6 Ferrari 9 Ferrari later. Vittorio Brambilla won the race, which was 3 McLaren 3 Shadow shortened due to heavy rain. Brambilla controlled 2 Brabham 1 Brabham his March wonderfully well, only to crash moments 1 Hesketh March after he crossed the finish line. Autocourse: “The Tyrrell Italian driver Vittorio Brambilla told his mechanics March later that the throttle stuck so he switched off the ignition, but the car somehow got away from him. Tyres splashing water on all sides, it rapidly went past the point of no return, and the man who had just won the race began watching his cool-off lap from over the left side of his cockpit. The car went into the guardrail.” 1976 JAMES HUNT (McLaren Ford) Following Lord Hesketh’s announcement that he damaged car was brought back to the pits, where simply could not continue spending so much of his the McLaren mechanics rebuilt its front suspension inheritance on trying to make James Hunt the World and wheeled it out for the restart. This seemed to Champion, Hunt found himself without a drive in contravene a rule, so the stewards decreed that the 1976. But there was an unexpected vacancy when local hero would not be allowed to restart his home McLaren’s Emerson Fittipaldi made a last-minute race. Autocourse wrote down: “You should’ve heard decision to join his brother, Wilson, in a new team the crowd when that was announced. The roar of their funded by Copersucar, Brazil’s national sugar industry disapproval, rising from 77,000 throats, turned the STANDINGS (Wilson already raced in the new team the year Kentish skies an even deeper blue.” Fearing a riot, the 69 James Hunt (mclaren ford) before). It was almost in desperation that McLaren authorities allowed Hunt to restart the race, and he 68 Niki Lauda (ferrari) 49 Jody Scheckter (tyrrell ford) hired Hunt. Emerson regretted his decision, for in went on to catch and pass Lauda to win. He reduced 39 Patrick Depailler (tyrrell ford) 1975 he was still a top contender, even a runner-up to his gap behind Lauda from 35 to 23 points, but later 31 Clay Regazzoni (ferrari) 22 Mario Andretti (lotus ford, parnelli ford) Niki Lauda, while in 1976 the Brazilian only received (24th September; a good week before the Canadian 20 John Watson (penske ford) Jacques Laffite (ligier matra) 3 points and was 17th in the points table. Emerson Grand Prix) it was ruled that Hunt was ineligible to 19 Jochen Mass (mclaren ford) Fittipaldi: “The decision to leave McLaren was the run, and Lauda was declared the victor. So the order 11 Gunnar Nilsson (lotus ford) 10 Ronnie Peterson (lotus ford, march ford) greatest mistake of my life.” prior to the German Grand Prix was such that Lauda Tom Pryce (shadow ford) Hunt was immediately fast in the McLaren. His had 61 points, and he was followed by Scheckter (30), 8 Hans-Joachim Stuck (march ford) 7 Carlos Pace (brabham alfa romeo) qualifying results proved he was a serious contender McLaren immediately lodged an appeal. Teddy Mayer Hunt and Depailler (both with 26 points). Only a Alan Jones (surtees ford) 3 Carlos Reutemann (brabham alfa romeo, ferrari) for the championship. At the Austrian Grand Prix he (McLaren’s team manager): “It’s like being hanged for a higher force could prevent the Austrian of retaining his Emerson Fittipaldi (fittipaldi ford) secured himself a sixth pole position of the season, parking ticket!” title. But a ‘higher force’ did intervene… At a partially 2 Chris Amon (ensign ford, wolf-williams ford) 1 Vittorio Brambilla (march ford) which was twice the amount of Niki Lauda. But he In this season Tyrell stunned the Formula 1 circus wet Nürbürgring track Niki Lauda lost control of his Rolf Stommelen (brabham ford, brabham alfa romeo, hekseth ford) needed some time to hit his race rhythm, while Lauda with a bizarre, six-wheeled car for Jody Scheckter and car on the second lap and crashed into the guardrail. TEAMS began the season very well. The Austrian won the Patrick Depailler. The car had four wheels at the front The car’s fuel tank split open and the Ferrari was soon 83 Ferrari 74 McLaren Ford opening two races and was second behind Regazzoni and two at the back. With it Scheckter and Depailler ablaze. Lauda couldn’t keep his helmet on, such was the 71 Tyrrell Ford at the third Grand Prix – a new venue called Long secured Tyrell a 1-2 finish in Sweden. This was the first force of the impact, and to make matters worse, he was 29 Lotus Ford 20 Penske Ford Beach in California. By this time Hunt only managed and last win of such a car in Formula 1 history. struck by the American Brett Lunger in a Surtees. The Ligier Matra to gather up 6 points, but in Spain the McLaren Just before Hunt won in France, he learned that his Brit Guy Edwards in a Hesketh and the Italian Arturo 19 March Ford 10 Shadow Ford driver finally finished the race ahead of Lauda. But Spanish victory had been reinstated on appeal, but as Merzario in a Wolf-Williams, both driving behind 9 Brabham Alfa Romeo 7 Surtees Ford Hunt’s triumph was short-lived. Half an hour after soon as the next Grand Prix in Great Britain trouble Lunger, managed to stop in time, and the trio tried to 3 Fittipaldi Ford the finish, the scrutineers found Hunt’s McLaren arose again. At Brands Hatch there was a pile-up rescue Lauda out of the burning Ferrari. Niki Lauda: 2 Ensign Ford 1 Parnelli Ford M23 to be 1.8cm too wide, and disqualified the car. right after the start and the race was stopped. Hunt’s “Most marvellous of all was what Arturo Merzario did: he rushed straight into the flames and managed to get appeared beside his bed. Niki Lauda: “It sounded like Monza I hid the truth. I was rigid with fear… The first Race Pole Winner my safety belt undone. But his action changed nothing a judgement, the last rites. He never mentioned the time the Ferrari skidded in practice I was scared. Being GP BRAZIL Hunt Lauda (2) in his attitude to me. He couldn’t stand me before, possibility that I might recover. I wanted to shout: scared was intolerable. I said to myself: ‘You can’t drive GP SOUTH AFRICA Hunt Lauda (2) and had often attacked me in the Italian press, and ‘Hey, stop! This is the worst fuck-up you make in your a car like that.’ But eventually I pulled it together, GP USA WEST Regazzoni Regazzoni afterwards he did the same.” life. I am not going to die!’” and the next day I was fourth in the race, which some GP SPAIN Hunt Hunt Lauda suffered really bad burns on his face, and he Lauda survived. But will he be able to race again people thought was quite good.” In the meantime GP BELGIUM Lauda Lauda inhaled lots of toxic fumes, which were a consequence was the main question. The surprise was complete, Hunt gradually got closer and closer to Lauda in the GP MONACO Lauda Lauda GP SWEDEN Scheckter Scheckter of the burning Ferrari. His lungs were in a terrible when he entered the Italian Grand Prix, just a few points standings and after winning the race in Canada GP FRANCE Hunt Hunt state. While he was in the hospital in bandages, a priest weeks after his near-fatal accident. Niki Lauda: “In the Brit became the only driver with a chance to snatch GP GREAT BRITAIN Lauda Lauda GP GERMANY Hunt Hunt GP AUSTRIA Hunt Watson (2) »The priest never mentioned the possibility that I might recover. GP NETHERLANDS Peterson Hunt (2) GP ITALY Laffite Peterson (8) GP CANADA Hunt Hunt I wanted to shout: ‘Hey, stop! This the worst fuck-up you GP USA EAST Hunt Hunt GP JAPAN* Andretti Andretti make in your life. I am not going to die!« NIKI LAUDA Most wins Most pole positions 6 Hunt 8 Hunt 5 Lauda 3 Lauda the title away from Niki. But prior to the United States 1 Scheckter 1 Scheckter Grand Prix the Englishman still trailed the Austrian Regazzoni Regazzoni by eight points, which meant he needed to finish the Andretti Andretti American competition ahead of the Ferrari driver, if he Watson Laffite was to be in a good position at the end of the season. Peterson Peterson Lauda, who was in a much better state now, knew that 6 Ferrari 8 Mclaren and was even in a mood for jokes. Early in the morning McLaren 4 Ferrari of the US race, Hunt was still sleeping in his hotel 1 Tyrrell 1 Tyrrell room. Suddenly the door burst open and into the room Lotus Lotus goose-stepped his championship rival, fully dressed in Penske Ligier racing regalia including his helmet. Niki Lauda: “Vake March March up! Today I vill vin zee championship!” James Hunt won and Niki Lauda was third. With a gap of 3 points Hunt went to Japan for the last race of the season. It rained heavily, so Lauda decided to drive into the pits after the first lap. Hunt went on to finish third and with the 4 points he snatched the title away from the Austrian. 1977 NIKI LAUDA (Ferrari) It was tense before the beginning of the 1977 F1 to smoke. Seeing the wisps of smoke, Jansen van season. Niki Lauda thought the Old Enzo should’ve Vuuren, a 19-year-old ticket clerk at Jan Smuts Airport shown a little bit more sympathy, compassion and who was acting as a pit-lane marshal that weekend, understanding after the Japanese Grand Prix of 1976 began a fateful charge across the road, lugging a fire when the Austrian decided not to race in bad weather extinguisher. Hidden in the dip before the brow were condition and put his life on the line for something four cars travelling at maximum speed. Alan Rees unimportant as another world championship title. (Shadow team manager): “As Tom was coming through So Ferrari announced that Carlos Reutemann was to the field there was only one more in that pack that he STANDINGS be the number 1 driver in the team which was a drop had to overtake, and that was Hans Stuck. Stuck was 72 Niki Lauda (ferrari) over the edge of the glass for Lauda. The Austrian had the one who avoided the guy who ran across the road, 55 Jody Scheckter (wolf ford) 47 Mario Andretti (lotus ford) revenge in his mind all the way during the season. After and he did it so quickly that Tom was left out there. 42 Carlos Reutemann (ferrari) he clinched the title in Watkins Glen, he deliberately He wouldn’t even have known about it. He wouldn’t 40 James Hunt (mclaren ford) 25 Jochen Mass (mclaren ford) boycotted the remaining two races. No Ferrari driver, have known anything about it, I’m sure of that. Stuck 22 Alan Jones (shadow ford) 20 Gunnar Nilsson (lotus ford) and there were more than a hundred racing for the Old obviously saw the guy at the last moment and just Patrick Depailler (tyrrell ford) Enzo, ever humiliated the Italian so much. swerved, and Tom was right in his slipstream and 18 Jacques Laffite (ligier matra) 12 Hans-Joachim Stuck (march ford, brabham alfa romeo) The season began in Argentina, where team Wolf couldn’t avoid the marshal.” James Hunt: “We need 11 Emerson Fittipaldi (fittipaldi ford) celebrated their first win. It was also their first race! professional marshals who would travel to each and 9 John Watson (brabham alfa romeo) 7 Ronnie Peterson (tyrrell ford) Before that only Mercedes managed to win on its first to run only one car for Jody Scheckter. The latter was every Grand Prix.” 6 Carlos Pace (brabham alfa romeo) Vittorio Brambilla (surtees ford) try (it was in 1954), and after that Brawn-Mercedes leading the championship all the way to the Monaco In team Lotus Colin Chapman had been working 5 Clay Regazzoni (ensign ford) did the same in 2009. It was a fabulous result for the Grand Prix where the South African secured the team’s on the concept of the Lotus 78 for two years in great Patrick Tambay (surtees ford, ensign ford) 1 Jean-Pierre Jarier (penske ford, shadow ford, ligier matra) team owner Walter Wolf, a Slovene-Canadian oil second win of the season, but then, at the next 8 races, secrecy. Four hundred hours of wind tunnel testing Riccardo Patrese (shadow ford) magnate, but no doubt hard to swallow for Frank of those 4 in succession, he wasn’t able to finish the – unheard of at that time – went into it. Together Renzo Zorzi (shadow ford) Williams who had sold out to Wolf and was back race on 6 occasions. After the Italian Grand Prix and with his group of employees he established that the TEAMS 95 Ferrari home in England when the team he started in 1973 as the nearest rival, he was trailing Lauda by massive 27 airflow beneath the car was even more significant 62 Lotus Ford finally won a race. Frank Williams: “I recognized that points. in generating downforce than the flow over its 60 McLaren Ford 55 Wolf Ford Frank Williams Racing Cars was in a deep hole, and it The death of young Welshman Tom Pryce during bodywork. By instal ing profile underwings, they could 27 Brabham Alfa Romeo required extraordinary entrepreneurial skills which I the South African Grand Prix was the personification create a low-pressure area. Effectively, this ‘sucked’ Tyrrell Ford 23 Shadow Ford believe I didn’t have at the time. It was better to make of the needles racing tragedy. Pryce had made a slow the car towards the ground, giving the Lotus 78 18 Ligier Matra 11 Fittipaldi Ford an accommodation. As far as that win in Argentina start but was fighting his way back through the field incredible corner speeds and making Mario Andretti 10 Ensign Ford it was just the team owned and run by the guy who when his Shadow team mate, Renzo Zorzi, rolled to a a serious championship contender. The American 6 Surtees Ford 1 Penske Ford bought my business, that’s al .” Team Wolf decided halt opposite the pits on the 21st lap, his car beginning won four races, and should have won others, but his championship campaign suffered through poor engine problems with the engine and soon the racing cars pump fuel. We were quick in qualifying, but rarely Race Pole Winner reliability and his own penchant for first-lap accidents. were called ‘yellow teapots.’ The Frenchman Jean-Pierre finished. Half of the retirements were the engine not GP ARGENTINA Hunt Scheckter (11) The British Grand Prix of 1977 was the first for Jabouille was the only Renault driver in Silverstone being reliable enough, the other half the inexperience GP BRAZIL Hunt Reutemann (2) team Renault. The French were also the first to use a and he qualified 21st for the race which he wasn’t able of the team… After I left racing I was reading books GP SOUTH AFRICA Hunt Lauda (3) turbo engine. Renault complied with alternative rules, to finish due to engine failure. Francois Castaign, the about World War II and found out everything that GP USA WEST Lauda Andretti (2) those that allowed 1.5-litre V6 engines with forced technical director of Renault Sport, remembered: happened to us as far as understanding combustion and GP SPAIN Andretti Andretti induction instead of 3-litre naturally aspirated V8’s. “From then we started discovering how tough it was turbo-charging. I could have learned enormously from GP MONACO Watson Scheckter (2) GP BELGIUM Andretti Nilsson (3) Few people took the novelty seriously, some were even to race at the level of F1. Even in those days. We went all the work done by the British companies between GP SWEDEN Andreetti Laffite (8) laughing at the French team. At first Renault had huge on to discover all the miseries of turbo-charging with 1940 and 1943 when they were super-charging the GP FRANCE Andretti Andretti GP GREAT BRITAIN Hunt Hunt GP GERMANY Scheckter Lauda (3) »From Silverstone we started discovering how tough it was GP AUSTRIA Lauda Jones (14) GP NETHERLANDS Andretti Lauda (4) GP ITALY Hunt Andretti (4) to race at the level of F1. We went on to discover all the miseries of GP USA EAST* Hunt Hunt GP CANADA Andretti Scheckter (9) turbo-charging with pump fuel.« GP JAPAN Andretti Hunt (2) FRANÇOIS CASTAIGN Most wins Most pole positions 4 Andretti 7 Andretti aircraft engines. The reason why the Spitfire went from 3 Lauda 6 Hunt 1500 horsepower to almost 3000 over three years is Scheckter 2 Lauda simply because they understood better how to control Hunt 1 Scheckter compression, to design pistons and other parts that 1 Reutemann Watson could support higher boos pressures. I’ve discovered all Jones Nilsson kinds of documents since that I wish I’d read in ’77.” Laffite Although nobody realised it at the time, the Renault was the future. It took another two years for Renault 5 Lotus 7 Lotus to win a race, but by 1984, all the major teams would 4 Ferrari 6 McLaren have 650bhp turbo-charged engines for races, and 3 McLaren 2 Ferrari most had special qualifying engines that developed up Wolf 1 Wolf to 1500bhp. 1 Shadow Brabham Ligier At this historic race in Silverstone the world of racing witnessed another debut. Gilles Villeneuve, father of the 1997 world champion Jacques, raced in a McLaren. Gilles took over Lauda’s seat at Ferrari for the last two races of the season and raced for Scuderia until his tragic death in 1982. 1978 MARIO ANDRETTI (Lotus Ford) At the 1978 British Grand Prix in Brands Hatch said: “I tell you, it was the easiest win I have ever the 14-year-old Brit Jock Clear, later a racing engineer scored.” Alan Henry: “A total of five teams protested of several top Formula 1 drivers, stood behind the the Brabham’s eligibility at one time or other over fence of the racetrack. He observed the American the Swedish Grand Prix, their feeling being that the Mario Andretti flying round the circuit in his Lotus. primary reason for the fan was to provide download. Jock immediately became a big fan of the American. Gordon Murray and team owner Bernie Ecclestone Clear began to work in Formula 1 in 1988 when stuck to their guns, insisting that its primary function STANDINGS Mario already retired from the European racing scene. was cooling. The race won, the rulemakers promptly 64 Mario Andretti (lotus ford) 51 Ronnie Peterson (lotus ford) Years flew by before the Brit had a chance to meat the bowed to pressure and banned ‘fan cars’. The Brabham 48 Carlos Reutemann (ferrari) American. Jock Clear: “It was in Indianapolis in 2004. never ran in that configuration again.” 44 Niki Lauda (brabham alfa romeo) 34 Patrick Depailler (tyrrell ford) I felt weird, for Mario is short and different from what The French Grand Prix followed. There James 25 John Watson (brabham alfa romeo) I imagined him to be. I always thought he’d look like Hunt finished third, his best result of a season in 24 Jody Scheckter (wolf ford) 19 Jacques Laffite (ligier matra) Kirk Douglas and not Danny DeVito.” which his motivation waned considerably. Teddy 17 Gilles Villeneuve (ferrari) Emerson Fittipaldi (fittipaldi ford) True, Mario wasn’t a tall driver, but he was Mayer (McLaren boss): “I can get James to talk about 11 Alan Jones (williams ford) considered as ‘big’. He was already a star of the women, backgammon, tennis, golf, business, taxes, Riccardo Patrese (arrows ford) 8 James Hunt (mclaren ford) American series USAC or better yet IndyCar when living in Spain, food, childhood, but I can’t get him Patrick Tambay (mclaren ford) he appeared in Formula 1 in the late 60’s. He missed a to talk to me about racing cars.” Hunt retired after the 7 Didier Pironi (tyrrell ford) 4 Clay Regazzoni (shadow ford) lot of races in the first couple of seasons, so he couldn’t Germany. Rosberg won the championship in 1982 Monaco Grand Prix next year and later became a TV 3 Jean Pierre Jabouille (renault) 2 Hans-Joachim Stuck (shadow ford) count on winning the F1 championship. But by while Piquet won it in 1981, 1983 and 1987. commentator. 1 Vittorio Brambilla (surtees ford) arriving to Lotus he concentred his efforts on one goal After the first 5 races of the season the balance of In Austria, Ferrari’s new recruit, Gilles Villeneuve, Derek Daly (hesketh ford, ensign ford) Hector Rebaque (lotus ford) only – winning the title in the pinnacle of motorsports. power seemed pretty equal. After his win in Monaco made it to the podium for the first time, finishing TEAMS Lotus was now well tested with the ground-effect and the Frenchman Patrick Depailler surprisingly led the third behind Ronnie Peterson and Patrick Depailler. It 86 Lotus Ford ready for a fight with Ferrari. Scuderia struggled with championship with 23 points. But this was about to sometimes seemed that Villeneuve was in over his head 58 Ferrari 53 Brabham Alfa Romeo the grip of the car, but compensated the disadvantage change… in his early Grand Prix races. At the last race of the 38 Tyrrell Ford with a better engine. Prior to the Swedish Grand Prix team Brabham 1977 season he rammed Peterson’s Tyrell from behind, 24 Wolf Ford 19 Ligier Matra The 1978 season witnessed two debuts of drivers mounted a large air/water heat exchanger above the flew over it and crashed into a group of spectators 17 Fittipaldi Ford who would later win the championship crown. The engine, fed by cool air from a large fan – which just who had strayed into a restricted area, two of whom 15 McLaren Ford 11 Williams Ford Finn Keke Rosberg debuted at the South African happened to draw its air supply from the Brabham’s were killed. Early in 1978, Villeneuve was being called Arrows Ford 6 Shadow Ford Grand Prix, which was also a race number 300 since underbody area. As a result, the fan also sucked the car unflattering names, some of which al uded to his 3 Renault establishment of the championship in 1950, while down towards the road surface. It stuck like glue… Niki propensity for airborne accidents, such as ‘Air Canada’ 1 Surtees Ford Ensign Ford Nelson Piquet from Brazil first tried his luck in Lauda, who won with this weird looking Brabham, and ‘The Pilot’. There were jokes that he would quickly become a friend of Lauda (an avid aviator and later to points separated the Lotus duo before going to Monza. everywhere, for 8 other drivers got involved in the Race Pole Winner become the proprietor of his own airline) because they Prior to the Italian Grand Prix Mario told Ronnie to incident. Hunt pulled out Peterson out of the burning GP ARGENTINA Andretti Andretti were both keen on flying. drive only for himself at the remaining races, but for Lotus, which had to be extinguished twice, for in the GP BRAZIL Peterson Reutemann (4) Prior to the Dutch Grand Prix, when he was the Swede it was all over soon after the start. He got meantime it caught fire again. Hunt blamed Patrese, GP SOUTH AFRICA Lauda Peterson (11) trailing Andretti by 9 points, Ronnie Peterson – as the tangled up in an accident with Hunt and the Italian but the TV cameras showed that it was the Brit who GP USA WEST Reutemann Reutemann only other championship contender – heard numerous Riccardo Patrese. Peterson’s leg injuries were so bad he might have started the whole thing. But Hunt was GP MONACO Reutemann Depailler (5) appeals from several people to ignore his status as the died in the hospital the next day. James Hunt: “Patrese a world champion and as pressure grew, Patrese’s GP BELGIUM Andretti Andretti GP SPAIN Andretti Andretti ‘Number 2’ driver. Ronnie Peterson: “I had open eyes made what can only be described as an Italian home fellow drivers forced the organisers of the US Grand GP SWEDEN Andretti Lauda (3) when I signed the contract. If I break my promise start and was right up alongside me on the outside Prix East do decline his entry. Patrese missed the race GP FRANCE Watson Andretti (2) now, who will ever trust me again?” Andretti’s exhaust of the track. I was slap in the middle of the pack, before returning to Arrows cockpit for the finale, in GP GREAT BRITAIN Peterson Reutemann (8) pipe broke, but Ronnie stayed behind the American. with Ronnie on my left. Patrese, with nowhere to Canada. Eventually he was cleared by an Italian court GP GERMANY Andretti Andretti If Peterson had overtaken him, he would’ve reduced go, barged over me, pushing me into Ronnie.” There and, in later years, some of those who had judged him GP AUSTRIA Peterson Peterson his gap behind Andretti to 6 points, but as it was, 12 was total chaos behind the trio, racing cars flying regretted their actions. Not Hunt. As a television GP NETHERLANDS Andretti Andretti GP ITALY* Andretti Lauda (4) GP USA EAST Andretti Reutemann (2) GP CANADA Jarier Villeneuve (3) »I felt weird, for Mario Andretti is short and not like I imagined.« Most wins Most pole positions JOCK CLEAR 6 Andretti 8 Andretti 4 Reutemann 3 Peterson commentator, he steadfastly criticised Patrese whenever 2 Peterson 2 Reutemann the Italian appeared on his monitor. Nor did Patrese, Lauda 1 Lauda who went on to compete in a record 256 Grands 1 Depailler Watson Prix, ever forget. Riccardo Patrese: “The others, I can Villeneuve Jarier understand why they did what they did. But Hunt? He 8 Lotus 12 Lotus made my life miserable, and for something he had done 5 Ferrari 2 Ferrari rather than me.” 2 Brabham Brabham In the final race of the season, the Canadian Grand 1 Tyrrell Prix, Jean-Pierre Jarier (replacing Ronnie Peterson at Team Lotus) was leading when he coasted to a halt with an engine failure. This paved the way for the local hero Gilles Villeneuve to win his first Grand Prix race in F1. At these last two races of the season the American Bobby Rahal tried his Formula 1 luck in a Wolf-Ford. Rahal won three titles in the American Series CART (IndyCar), won the Indy 500 as well, and in the new millennium even ran a Formula 1 team Jaguar for a while. 1979 JODY SCHECKTER (Ferrari) There was a slight change concerning the amount and congratulated each other. Rene Arnoux: “No, I of results which counted for the championship. Since am not sad to be third. All you needed was for one 1967, when the divided system came into use, one or the other of us to become frightened and there result from every half of the season was stricken, but might have been a terrible accident. But Gilles drove a now 4 results from the first 7 races and 4 from the fantastic race. I enjoyed it very much.” last 8 counted for the championship. It was similar in The third team to celebrate their first ever F1 1980 (5 from the first 7 and another 5 from the last win was Williams. At the British Grand Prix Clay 7), but from 1981 onwards (except between 1985 and Regazzoni put a smile on the face of Frank Williams STANDINGS 1990 when 11 results counted for the championship) who meanwhile managed to put his team back on its 51 Jody Scheckter (ferrari) the FIA summed up results from all the races in the feet again. Then, Regazzoni’s teammate Alan Jones 47 Gilles Villeneuve (ferrari) 40 Alan Jones (williams ford) calendar. managed to win 4 out of the next 5 races, making the 36 Jacques Laffite (ligier ford) Team Lotus was nowhere to be found, the new Williams team a formidable force in Formula 1. 29 Clay Regazzoni (williams ford) 20 Patrick Depailler (ligier ford) racing car of Colin Chapman was considered to At the Dutch Grand Prix, Gilles Villeneuve Carlos Reutemann (lotus ford) 17 René Arnoux (renault) be too ‘adventures’. Ferrari meanwhile had a great endeared himself forever to those who love never- 15 John Watson (mclaren ford) package. Scuderia had an advantage mainly because say-die spirit by trying to continue after an accident 14 Didier Pironi (tyrrell ford) Jean-Pierre Jarier (tyrrell ford) of the tyre supplier, for the French Michelin was caused by a rear puncture. He had just taken the Mario Andretti (lotus ford) considered better than Goodyear (all the other teams lead, passing Alan Jones in a seemingly impossible 9 Jean-Pierre Jabouille (renault) 4 Niki Lauda (brabham alfa romeo, brabham ford) – except for Renault – raced with American tyres). Ligier wasn’t the only team to win its first race in manoeuvre – round the outside of the difficult 3 Elio de Angelis (shadow ford) Nelson Piquet (brabham alfa romeo, brabham ford) Ligier stunned everyone in the opening two Formula 1 in this season. In France (Dijon) Renault Tarzan corner. Villeneuve kept going, with the Jacky Ickx (ligier ford) races, as Jacques Laffite romped home to easy and celebrated their first Grand Prix win with their deflated tyre flailing itself to bits, destroying the rear Jochen Mass (arrows ford) 2 Hans-Joachim Stuck (ATS ford) unexpected victories. driver Jean-Pierre Jabouille. It could’ve been a 1-2 suspension, and trailing behind like crazed anchor. Riccardo Patrese (arrows ford) Just like the year before Patrick Depailler led the for Renault, but Rene Arnoux lost his second place He staggered the wreckage into the pits, demanded 1 Emerson Fittipaldi (fittipaldi ford) championship after the first 5 races, this time with to Gilles Villeneuve. Their battle for second place is that it be repaired, and was enraged when this proved TEAMS 113 Ferrari 20 points (he shared the lead with Villeneuve). But considered to be the greatest in Formula 1 history. impossible. Gilles Villeneue: “Screw the f***ing wheel 75 Williams Ford the Frenchman injured himself in an accident during Time and again at Dijon, Arnoux would force ahead on and let me out on the track again!” Gaston Parent, 61 Ligier Ford 39 Lotus Ford hand-gliding, and after the Monaco Grand Prix he of Villeneuve, who wore out his tyres trying to keep his manager who stood nearby, recalled: “Soon they 28 Tyrrell Ford was replaced by Jacky Ickx. After two seasons of racing his underpowered Ferrari up with the Renault. And made him look at the back of the racing car which was 26 Renault 15 McLaren Ford with only one car for Laffite team Ligier found itself time and again, Villeneuve would somehow scramble completely destroyed. He later apologized, claiming 7 Brabham Alfa Romeo 5 Arrows Ford at the front, probably or mainly because of the swop back ahead. Several times in the final laps their cars he didn’t realise it was so bad. But believe me when I 3 Shadow Ford from Matra engines to Ford Cosworth DFV’s. But the touched, interlocked wheels and ran off the road. say: Gilles Villeneuve would have continued even on 2 ATS Ford 1 Fittipaldi Ford French slumped in the second half of the season. At the finish, Villeneuve and Arnoux were elated three wheels, that’s the kind of racing driver he was.” In the meantime, it was already decided at Ferrari that during those last few laps – as much as I trusted to end his racing career) Villeneuve never gave Jones a Race Pole Winner that the driver who summed up less points than his Gilles – I was looking in my mirrors more than usual. moment’s peace, fighting tooth and nail for a victory GP ARGENTINA Laffite Laffite teammate would have to help the other – even if I would have been very surprised if he tried anything, that finally went to Jones, who raised his rival’s arm in GP BRAZIL Laffite Laffite both had a chance of winning the title. And both but I always look for surprises.” Jody won by less than tribute as they stood on the podium. Patrick Head: GP SOUTH AFRICA Jabouille Villeneuve (3) did. In Italy Jody Scheckter and Gilles Villeneuve led a half a second in front of Gilles. With this result “Alan was behind Gilles for 15 laps or so, waiting for GP USA WEST Villeneuve Villeneuve the race. This meant that the Canadian had to pass Scheckter clinched the championship, but despite the opportunity, and eventually he got him set up for the GP SPAIN Laffite Depailler (2) his teammate, but Gilles was a man of honour and title he stayed in Villeneuve’s shadow. Proof of that hairpin and came down the inside. They went round GP BELGIUM Laffite Scheckter (7) GP MONACO Scheckter Scheckter wouldn’t dream of ignoring team orders. He stayed were the next, last two races of the season. In Canada together, just about tapping. Gilles just didn’t give GP FRANCE Jabouille Jabouille behind the South African. Jody Scheckter: “I must say (Lauda drove to the pits during practice and decided up, and the moment Alan took a bit of a breather GP GREAT BRITAIN Jones Regazzoni (4) GP GERMANY Jabouille Jones (2) GP AUSTRIA Arnoux Jones (2) »Although I don’t particularly agree with his GP NETHERLANDS Arnoux Jones (2) GP ITALY* Jabouille Scheckter (3) GP CANADA Jones Jones daredevil style, Villeneuve had done more for Grand Prix racing GP USA EAST Jones Villeneuve (3) this year than all the other Formula One drivers combined.« Most wins Most pole positions FRANK WILLIAMS 4 Jones 4 Laffite 3 Scheckter Jabouille Villeneuve 3 Jones and dropped half a second, wham! Gilles just closed 2 Laffite 2 Arnoux right up again.” Alan Jones: “I just couldn’t believe it. 1 Regazzoni 1 Scheckter That guy just would not accept that he was beaten. I Depailler Villeneuve sweated like hell pul ing out a couple of seconds on Jabouille him, relaxed in a couple of corners, and there he was 6 Ferrari 6 Renault in my mirrors again. That bloody red shit bucket was 5 Williams 4 Ligier all over me.” 3 Ligier 3 Williams In Watkins Glen Villeneuve added another 1 Renault 2 Ferrari chapter to his rapidly growing legend. The patented spectacular display of heroics took place in practice on Friday when the track was soaked and few people even ventured out of the pits. In fact, most drivers thought the flooded tarmac was simply un-driveable. Gilles beat his nearest rival by massive 11 seconds. Frank Williams: “Although I don’t particularly agree with his daredevil style, Villeneuve had done more for Grand Prix racing this year than all the other Formula One drivers combined.” 1980 ALAN JONES (Williams Ford) Team Williams won both titles in 1980, and in teams (Renault, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo) withdrew from the next seasons it became one of the most successful the race. Formula 1 was in deep crisis. Alan Jones: in F1. By the end of the 2013 season the British team “Whatever f***ing Balestre or anyone else says about gathered 16 titles (9 of those were World Cups for it, that was a Grand Prix as far as I am concerned, and Constructors). It placed itself in 2nd and 3rd place in I won it.” Patrick Depailler: “If no one had raced in the record books. At the beginning of the year 1980 Spain, then that would have made a big problem with the founder of the team Frank Williams said he didn’t the spectators. Someone had to race – at least half see Alan Jones as someone capable of winning the the field – just to please them.” FOCA threatened to championship, but he soon realised he was wrong. establish its own championship, but gave way at the STANDINGS Frank Williams: “AJ knew what I thought of him when end. 67 Alan Jones (williams ford) 54 Nelson Piquet (brabham ford) he joined the team. We were lucky he was available at The season began in Argentina where Alain Prost 42 Carlos Reutemann (williams ford) the right moment. But I had no idea he would turn from France made his debut. Prost would later win 51 34 Jacques Laffite (ligier ford) 32 Didier Pironi (ligier ford) out to be as quick as he was. I told him from the start: races and four 4 championship titles. His record of 29 René Arnoux (renault) 13 Elio de Angelis (lotus ford) ‘Don’t crash our cars, because the team can’t afford the Grand Prix wins was beaten by Michael Schumacher in 9 Jean Pierre Jabouille (renault) spare parts. Help us with the development of the car the new millennium. 7 Riccardo Patrese (arrows ford) 6 Keke Rosberg (fittipaldi ford) and try to get some points.’ We soon realised he was a With the win in Argentina and a third place at John Watson (mclaren ford) fighter. He would have been winning sooner, but his the next race in Brazil Alan Jones basically announced Derek Daly (tyrrell ford) Jean-Pierre Jarier (tyrell ford) racing car broke down too many times.” flesh was insufficient. FISA wanted the whole carcass. that he was going to have a winning season. However, Gilles Villeneuve (ferrari) 5 Emerson Fittipaldi (fittipaldi ford) Throughout the 1980 Grand Prix season mere Patrick Head: “I do agree that cornering speeds should with consecutive wins ahead of the GP USA-West Alain Prost (mclaren ford) motor racing was jostled aside by the column inches be reduced. The drivers are all very fit and strong, yet Rene Arnoux led the championship standings. It was 4 Jochen Mass (arrows ford) Bruno Giacomelli (alfa romeo) devoted to a civil war between FISA (Federation they cannot cope with the loads imposed on them in at the American race that Clay Regazzoni finished his 2 Jody Scheckter (ferrari) Internationale du Sport Automobile) and FOCA certain types of corners. If it was my decision, I’d prefer racing career, for the Swiss had an accident, crashing 1 Mario Andretti (lotus ford) Hector Rebaque (brabham ford) (Formula One Constructors Association). Or should to keep the skirts – with a limitation on their overall into a wall at high speed and suffering a spinal cord TEAMS we write down: between their leaders the Frenchman length – and do away with wings.” damage which affectively put him in a wheel chair for 120 Williams Ford Jean-Marie Balestre and Bernie Ecclestone. Row A race in Spanish Jarama on the 1st June, after the rest of his life. Clay Regazzoni: “I was in hospital 66 Ligier Ford 55 Brabham Ford followed row, over qualifying tyres, missed driver the Monaco Grand Prix, saw the serious beginnings for a long time, and felt sorry for myself, but later I 38 Renault briefings, race boycotts, technical changes, the coming of the FISA-FOCA War. The FOCA teams rebelled felt ashamed. I remember Gunnar Nilsson (a Swedish 14 Lotus Ford 12 Tyrrell Ford ban of skirts, financial control. Towards the end of the against the proposed banning of skirts, declaring driver competing for Team Lotus in 1976 and 1977) 11 Arrows Ford Fittipaldi Ford year FOCA agreed to give way, conditionally to FISA that the ruling would favour the ‘grandees’ with their talking about the children in his cancer hospital, how McLaren Ford on the question of skirts. By then, however, Shylock turbocharged engines. After much squabbling in he had had years of good life which they would never 8 Ferrari 4 Alfa Romeo had yet greater delusions of grandeur, and a pound of practice, FISA declared the race ‘illegal’. The FISA had.” Alan Jones: “Clay was a dispassionate driver in his last years. All of us become that way as we look was killed in Hockenheim during testing prior to the Mansell. The latter later won 31 races and in 1992 the Race Pole Winner on the racing world with a colder eye and recover German Grand Prix. The Frenchman crashed at the championship as well. But out of all the champions he GP ARGENTINA Jones Jones from our early enthusiasm. Clay was once invited by Ostkurve corner. Marks on the road left do doubt, needed most years to do it, twelve to be exact. GP BRAZIL Jabouille Arnoux (6) Louis Stanley to look over BRM. Lou was there in his something on the car had broken as Depailler turned In Italy, where the winner Nelson Piquet GP SOUTH AFRICA Jabouille Arnoux (2) works and said: ‘My boy, you have seen my car and my into the corner. In the best of circumstances this postponed the championship ending at least for GP USA WEST Piquet Piquet organisation – with my team and my factory we will was not a place to have an accident, but Depailler’s another race, Gilles Villeneuve crashed heavily again. GP BELGIUM Jones Pironi (2) make you World Champion.’ Clay said: ‘Fucka the chances of survival were wiped away by absence of The Italian Grand Prix was run at Imola and not GP MONACO Pironi Reutemann (2) GP FRANCE Laffite Jones (4) Championship, how mucha you pay?’” catch fencing, which, scandalously, was neatly rolled Monza. The Canadian suffered a blown right rear tyre GP GREAT BRITAIN Pironi Jones (3) At the British Grand Prix the reigning world up behind the guardrail that day. Jean-Pierre Jabouille while driving through Tosa corner. Gilles Villeneuve: GP GERMANY Jones Laffite (5) champion Jody Scheckter announced he was to retire won in Germany, while the next race, the Austrian “I hit the bank very hard, and one of the front wheels GP AUSTRIA Arnoux Jabouille (2) after the last race of the season, while Patrick Depailler Grand Prix, saw the debut of the British driver Nigel hit my helmet, and at that instant I lost my sight. I GP NETHERLANDS Arnoux Piquet (5) GP ITALY Arnoux Piquet (5) GP CANADA* Piquet Jones (2) GP USA EAST Giacomelli Jones (5) »I’d only ever thought of accidents in terms of broken bones. But being blind... That was something I’d never considered.« Most wins Most pole positions 5 Jones 3 Jones GILLES VILLENEUVE 3 Piquet Arnoux 2 Arnoux 2 Piquet 1 Reutemann Pironi could hear all the other cars around me, but I couldn’t Laffite Jabouille see them. I’d only ever thought of accidents in terms of Pironi 1 Laffite broken bones. But being blind maybe… Jesus, that was Jabouille Giacomelli something I’d never considered.” In Canada Piquet secured himself pole position 6 Williams 5 Renault 3 Brabham 3 Williams and it looked like he was going to win the race. But his Renault Ligier engines failed and the title went to Jones. Alan Jones: 2 Ligier 2 Brabham “I would say we had the quickest car in Argentina, 1 Alfa Romeo but that’s about it. What’s interesting is that we never qualified lower than sixth. At some places the Ligiers were in a class of their own – and qualified 20th at others. We never dominated, but we were always there. I get pissed off when people say I’m only winning because these cars are easy to drive, and I’ve got a good one. Admittedly, a good driver won’t win a race in a bad car, but that’s always been the case. Who complained when Fangio and Moss cleaned up for Mercedes in 1955?” 1981 NELSON PIQUET (Brabham Ford) At the end of 1980, FISA banned skirts, and place, and finally he parked it in the wall at Tabac. I decreed there should be a six-centimetre gap don’t often piss myself laughing in a racing car, but I between car and ground, which would be rigorously got a chuckle out of that!” monitored. Brabham’s designer Gordon Murray came Villeneuve was the surprise winner of the Spanish up with a clever system that circumnavigated the Grand Prix in Jarama. Ferrari built a car which was rule, allowing the car to past muster at rest, but ran totally un-driveable on fast tracks such as Jarama, very close to the ground at speed. To be competitive, but the Canadian once again displayed one of his everyone had to follow suit, but most systems were typical drives, for which the fans adored him. For 15 STANDINGS 50 Nelson Piquet (brabham ford) rather cruder, a switch in the cockpit allowing laps he held of a line of tightly grouped drivers and 49 Carlos Reutemann (williams ford) the driver to raise and lower his car, à la Citroën. at the finish line beat Laffite, the Brit John Watson, 46 Alan Jones (williams ford) 44 Jacques Laffite (ligier matra) Jean-Pierre Jabouille: “It’s not only stupid, but also Reutemann and the Italian Elio de Angelis by a car 43 Alain Prost (renault) ridiculously dangerous. Bah!” Other drivers joined his length or two, the 5 drivers being split by only 1.24 27 John Watson (mclaren ford) 25 Gilles Villeneuve (ferrari) opinion, saying the new cars were like go-karts. seconds. John Watson: “The bloody Ferrari was 14 Elio de Angelis (lotus ford) 11 René Arnoux (renault) For the Williams team the season began well, for getting in everyone’s way – for the last 15 laps it was Hector Rebaque (brabham ford) Alan Jones and Carlos Reuteamann secured a 1-2 at holding everyone up. Ridiculous!” Gilles Villeneuve: 10 Riccardo Patrese (arrows ford) Eddie Cheever (tyrrell ford) the first two races. But in Brazil the order wasn’t in “Watson’s absolutely right – in fact, I couldn’t 9 Didier Pironi (ferrari) accordance with Reutemann’s contract. It was clearly understand why he and the others didn’t pass me. 8 Nigel Mansell (lotus ford) 7 Bruno Giacomelli (alfa romeo) written down that Carlos was the ‘Number 2’ driver said: “It’s great to win in a place where you live, and I Ask them what they were doing for the first 60 laps, 4 Marc Surer (ensign ford, theodore ford) 3 Mario Andretti (alfa romeo) and therefore should’ve moved aside. Because of this guess we’ll have to stay in Monaco now. By the time I while I was running flat out. After al , three of them 1 Andrea de Cesaris (mclaren ford) flaw, the team eventually lost the drivers title. In fact, stop racing my son Jacques will be 17, and he’ll know were ahead of me on the grid.” In France Alain Prost Patrick Tambay (theodore ford, ligier matra) Slim Borgudd (ATS ford) the Williams team didn’t learn from this mistake, so many girls here there’s no way we’ll be allowed to celebrated his first win. He would later become a Eliseo Salazar (march ford, ensign ford) for five years later – when Nelson Piquet and Nigel leave.” Alan Jones: “If I couldn’t win, I’m glad Gilles driver with most wins (6) at his home race. At the TEAMS Mansell raced for the team – the same thing happened did, because I like him, and he’s the rival I most British Grand Prix, where Reutemann enjoyed a 95 Williams Ford 61 Brabham Ford again. respect. Second place wasn’t the end of the world – comfortable championship lead by 17 points ahead 54 Renault The fourth race of the season was the San Marino and I got a lot of fun out of pressuring Piquet. He and of other drivers, Team McLaren celebrated their first 44 Ligier Matra 34 Ferrari Grand Prix. It was the 25th new Grand Prix since the I had a touch in Zolder, and afterwards he screamed win under the management of the Brit Ron Dennis. 28 McLaren Ford start of the chamiponship in 1950. Then, the tragic to the press he was going to put me in the barriers at Two races later, in Austria, the latter met a driver who 22 Lotus Ford 10 Arrows Ford Belgium Grand Prix in Zolder followed. One of the the first opportunity. He didn’t have the guts to come gave his team 35 wins and 3 drivers titles. This driver Alfa Romeo Tyrrell Ford mechanics was killed in the pit lane during practice, and talk to me about it, face to face, but I couldn’t was introduced to Dennis by Emerson Fittipaldi. 5 Ensign Ford another hurt at the start of the race. care less… I haven’t got time to mess with people like The Brazilian recalled: “I remember the day I showed 1 Theodore Ford ATS Ford At Monaco Gilles Villeneuve won and he later him. At Monaco he was making mistakes all over the Ayrton, a mere boy in the European Formula Ford Championship, around the Zeltweg pits in 1981. One and they were very surprised. Senna simply gave an a CART race) Jacques Laffite joined Reutemann and Race Pole Winner by one, I introduced him to all the team managers embarrassing smile.” Piquet for the title chase. It was clear, though, that GP USA EAST Patrese Jones (2) – that’s right, I was the one who introduced Senna With the win in the wet Montreal in Canada, Reutemann and Piquet had better chances, especially GP BRAZIL Piquet Reutemann (2) to Ron Dennis – and I had not done this before where Villeneuve’s younger brother Jacques tried the Argentine who was the favourite. Carlos set a GP ARGENTINA Piquet Piquet with any Brazilian driver. The difference was that I his Formula 1 luck for the first time (the Canadian stunning lap in qualifying and secured him self a pole GP SAN MARINO Villeneuve Piquet (5) was convinced this was someone exceptional. My gave up his dream of becoming a Grand Prix driver position. But come race day, Reutemann completely GP BELGIUM Reutemann Reutemann introducing went: ‘This is Ayrton Senna. He has after three races, but later had some noticeable faded back to finish out of the points. Piquet was GP MONACO Piquet Villeneuve (2) GP SPAIN Laffite Villeneuve (7) everything it takes to be World Champion.’ These results in other motorsport categories, especially the fifth and won the title. Most thought Reutemann GP FRANCE Arnoux Prost (3) gentlemen of F1 were familiar with my reserved style, American ones; he became the first Canadian to win had simply given up, including the new World GP GREAT BRITAIN Arnoux Watson (5) GP GERMANY Prost Piquet (5) GP AUSTRIA Arnoux Laffite (4) »I don’t like journalists. I don’t respect them because in reality GP NETHERLANDS Prost Prost GP ITALY Arnoux Prost (3) GP CANADA Piquet Laffite (10) they are fans. Some of them chear for the Ferrari team, some of GP USA LAS VEGAS* Reutemann Jones (2) them for Lotus and so on and so on.« Most wins Most pole positions ALAN JONES 3 Piquet 4 Piquet Prost Arnoux 2 Reutemann 2 Reutemann Champion. Nelson Piquet: “He braked early to let Jones Prost me pass when I came up behind him. He made it Laffite 1 Laffite so easy for me I couldn’t believe it.” Journalist Peter Villeneuve Villeneuve Windsor found the reason for Reutemann’s defeat 1 Watson Patrese elsewhere. He recalled: “Carlos took pole position 4 Williams 6 Renault with the Williams car FW07/12, but was worried 3 Brabham 4 Brabham that he had been designated FW07/17 for the Renault 2 Williams race. On race morning he had to bed in brake pads, 2 Ligier 1 Ligier which would normally have been done on Friday Ferrari Ferrari or Saturday, instead of choosing a well-matched 1 McLaren Arrows set of tyres. Unsure of a car he had barely driven, Carlos was shocked from lap one to feel a massive vibration through FW07/17. Clearly the tyres were grossly mismatched. With no suspension travel the car became un-driveable over the bumps, which deteriorated as the track surface crumbled. The car bucked and weaved through the fast left-handers.” The race was won by Alan Jones. 1982 KEKE ROSBERG (Williams Ford) Because Alan Jones left Formula 1 and because Africa. There Niki Lauda organised a boycott for al Carlos Reutemann, who only entered two Grand racing drivers. He was the only one to notice a clause Prix races in 1982, announced he was to retire, Frank that ‘Super-licences’ (drivers in F1 need those in order Williams gave the seat to Keke Rosberg after Finn’s to race) could be issued only to a driver and team. STANDINGS tests at Paul Ricard. Keke Rosberg: “The ’81 season The constructors claimed that this was simply to stop 44 Keke Rosberg (williams ford) 39 Didier Pironi (ferrari) had been the worst in my life. I was 33, I’d been drivers from breaking contracts, but Lauda saw it as John Watson (mclaren ford) around for a long time, and Fittipaldi was so far off the a means of subjugating them, putting them in the 34 Alain Prost (renault) 30 Niki Lauda (mclaren ford) pace that it gave you no chance to show people how ‘ownership’ of their teams. Therefore all the drivers 28 René Arnoux (renault) 25 Patrick Tambay (ferrari) you could race. I couldn’t see where I would get a good went to the Sunnyside Park Hotel instead of going Michele Alboreto (tyrrell ford) drive… Soon after the tests at Paul Ricard, Frank called to the track, while Pironi remained at the circuit, 23 Elio de Angelis (lotus ford) 21 Riccardo Patrese (brabham BMW, brabham ford) me. ‘You can have the drive,’ he said. I said, ‘Frank, we negotiating with Balestre and Ecclestone, these two 20 Nelson Piquet (brabham BMW, brabham ford) haven’t even talked about money or anything yet – for once in accord. Keke Rosberg: “That night Elio 15 Eddie Cheever (ligier matra) 8 Derek Daly (theodore ford, williams ford) but I’ll take it!’” Yes, money started dominating this de Angelis played the piano – Mozart, I think – and 7 Nigel Mansell (lotus ford) 6 Gilles Villeneuve (ferrari) sport. Frank Williams: “Every year I have a tougher Gilles played Scott Joplin. For once, all the drivers got Carlos Reutemann (williams ford) and colder attitude towards drivers, for most are in along well together. Apart from Teo Fabi, that is, who 5 Andrea de Cesaris (alfa romeo) Jacques Laffite (ligier matra) this sport only because of the money. When they get ran like a chicken – said he was going for a pee, and 4 Mario Andretti (williams ford, ferrari) it enough… goodbye! Wouldn’t you agree? I don’t care never came back. He went straight to Ecclestone and 3 Jean-Pierre Jarier (osella ford) Marc Surer (arrows ford) who scores points for the team, as long as he’s scoring. speeds continued to climb, and for the drivers racing Balestre, and told them everything we’d discussed.” 2 Bruno Giacomelli (alfa romeo) Eliseo Salazar (ATS ford) But I do care about Williams Engineering.” Money was harder than ever. In the Brazilian Rio de Janeiro Pironi told the drivers in the morning that they have Manfred Winkelhock (ATS ford) also had a significant factor in the return of Niki the winner Nelson Piquet even fainted on the podium. won the battle. After a brief practice session, then an Mauro Baldi (arrows ford) 1 Chico Serra (fittipaldi ford) Lauda, even though the Austrian denied this. Niki Gilles Villeneuve: “I enjoy racing, but I hate these hour of qualifying, the race was on. It was won by TEAMS Lauda: “It’s true. I asked the McLaren team for a lot cars. It’s like making love to a woman while someone Prost. 74 Ferrari of money. But everybody wants to get as much as they is stabbing you in the back with a knife… And look at But as soon as the Brazilian Grand Prix a new 69 McLaren Ford 62 Renault can for their work. Money isn’t the reason why I came qualifying!? For each practice session we have one set scandal erupted. Piquet and Rosberg (in first two 58 Williams Ford back to the sport. Racing is far too dangerous to do it of tyres prepared, but they last only a few laps. This places at the finish) had been disqualified for having 30 Lotus Ford 25 Tyrrell Ford just because of the money.” means I only have 2 laps to set a good time. If someone racing cars which were underweight. The teams 22 Brabham BMW After a year of fooling around with ‘six-centimetre appears ahead of me on the track, I can only hope which used 3-litre engines (and these were: Williams, 20 Ligier Matra 19 Brabham Ford gaps’, of pretending that skirts were banned, FISA ran he’s watching his rear view mirrors. I can’t slow down, Brabham, McLaren and Lotus) couldn’t match the 7 Alfa Romeo 5 Arrows Ford up the white flag for 1982. Skirts – fixed, not sliding – because then I’m not going to set a good time.” horsepower of 1.5-litre engines used by Renault and 4 ATS Ford were now officially permitted once more, which meant The 1982 season had 11 different winners, which Ferrari, so they tried to lower the weight of their 3 Osella Ford 1 Fittipaldi Ford in turn that suspension had to be solid. Cornering is a record to this day (in 2017) and it started in South racing cars. Someone spotted a loophole, and what they came up with was ‘water-cooled brakes’. The the Canadian in the last lap, and stole the win. Gilles people began believing a rumour that the cause of the Race Pole Winner car, equipped with a large water tank, would go to was furious and swore he would never speak to Pironi accident wasn’t a misunderstanding, but a stuck gas GP SOUTH AFRICA Arnoux Prost (5) the grid with the thing ful , spray its contents away again. Ironically, he never did. During practice of the pedal. Gaston Parent supposedly signed a document GP BRAZIL Prost Prost in the early laps, run the bulk of the race 30kg under next race he crashed into the back of Mass’s March with Enzo Ferrari, securing a financial compensation GP USA WEST de Cesaris Lauda (2) the limit, then have the tank refilled afterwards so because of a misunderstanding in placing his Ferrari for Villeneuve’s family, for had the truth come out GP SAN MARINO Arnoux Pironi (4) as to be over 580kg for the post-race check. Because behind the German and succumbed to his injuries. immediately after the race, the family wouldn’t get GP BELGIUM Prost Watson (10) of the disqualification in Brazil the teams of FOCA Alain Prost: “The weeks before he died, Gilles called anything. GP MONACO Arnoux Patrese (2) GP USA EAST Prost Watson (17) boycotted the San Marino Grand Prix, where only me several times – I was trying to help his brother But Villeneuve’s tragedy wasn’t the last of the GP CANADA Pironi Piquet (4) Ferrari, Renault, Tyrell Ford, Alfa Romeo, ATS Ford, in Formula 3 – and all the time he was talking about season. In Montreal, at a track named after the GP NETHERLANDS Arnoux Pironi (4) Osella Ford and Toleman Hart raced. Without the top Didier. He was so angry, I couldn’t believe it. Even Canadian, the Italian Riccardo Paletti (Osella Ford) GP GREAT BRITAIN Rosberg Lauda (5) teams Pironi and Villeneuve celebrated an easy 1-2 for now, I shiver when I think about it. And when the crashed into the back of Pironi’s Ferrari at 200kph GP FRANCE Arnoux Arnoux Ferrari, but the order should have been Villeneuve- accident happened, I was absolutely sure why.” A at the start of the race and was dead at the scene of GP GERMANY Pironi Tambay (5) Pironi, for the Frenchman ignored team orders, passed few years after Villeneuve’s death more and more the accident. Then, Pironi got hurt as well. During GP AUSTRIA Piquet de Angelis (7) GP SWITZERLAND Prost Rosberg (8) GP ITALY Andretti Arnoux (6) GP USA LAS VEGAS* Prost Alboreto (3) »Every year I have a tougher and colder attitude towards drivers.« Most wins Most pole positions FRANK WILLIAMS 2 Pironi 5 Prost Watson Arnoux practice on the wet track of Hockenheim prior to Prost 2 Pironi the German Grand Prix he crashed into Prost. Alain Lauda 1 Rosberg Prost: “Pironi couldn’t see me because of spray, and Arnoux Piquet hit the back of my car – he actually overtook me in 1 Rosberg de Cesaris the air. His car landed tail first, in front of me, then Tambay Andretti Alboreto bounced away, somersaulting down the road. Awful!” de Angelis It was clear that Pironi wasn’t going to be back behind Patrese a racing car that season, maybe even never again. Piquet With 5 races left in the Formula 1 calendar several drivers still had a chance of clinching the world 4 McLaren 10 Renault championship. Experts least expected that Rosberg Renault 3 Ferrari would win it, for the Finn only had 23 points. Lauda 3 Ferrari 1 Williams 2 Brabham Brabham had 24 points, Prost 25 and Watson 30. But luck was 1 Williams Alfa Romeo on Rosberg’s side. At the last race he only needed to Lotus finish sixth and he would become the first of many Tyrrell Finns to celebrate a title. At the end he managed to finish the race in fifth and clinched his only championship crown. 1983 NELSON PIQUET (Brabham BMW) In the winter time before the start of the 1983 coming in with speeds of 160 kilometres per hour.” season the motorsport world was saddened by the At the first race in Brazil Piquet won, then the news that just before Christmas Colin Chapman historic US Grand Prix followed. There the McLarens died because of a heart attack. Bernie Ecclestone: qualified 22nd and 23rd – and finished 1-2 in the “Chunky, as we liked to call him, was a good race! Mainly, it was a problem with Michelin’s businessman and probably one of the best racing car qualifying tyres, which had been developed primarily designers of all time. Besides that he was as fast as for Renault, with their turbo horsepower; the half of the drivers that raced for him.” Chapman’s McLarens simply didn’t have enough power to STANDINGS last famous throw of his hat into the air (this was his generate the requisite heat in them. They were down 59 Nelson Piquet (brabham BMW) trademark when one of his cars won a race) was at the on the pole sitter Patrick Tambay by 3,983 and 4,071 57 Alain Prost (renault) 49 René Arnoux (ferrari) 1982 Austrian Grand Prix, when the Italian Elio de seconds. But on race tyres the cars worked just fine. 40 Patrick Tambay (ferrari) Angelis beat the Finish driver Keke Rosberg by a mere John Watson: “I can’t explain it, I really can’t. We 27 Keke Rosberg (williams ford, williams honda) 22 John Watson (mclaren ford, mclaren TAG) 5 hundreds of a seconds. Chapman’s death was a big still had too much under-steer, but the grip was good Eddie Cheever (renault) 15 Andrea de Cesaris (alfa romeo) blow for the team, but after years of mediocre results all through – better than at any time in practice. I’m 13 Riccardo Patrese (brabham BMW) better times were coming. Not in 1983, of course, delighted, of course, but also baffled. Believe me I’d 12 Niki Lauda (mclaren ford, mclaren TAG) 11 Jacques Laffite (williams ford, williams honda) but in 1984, and especially in seasons 1985, 1986 and rather start from near the front.” 10 Michele Alboreto (tyrrell ford) 1987, when the Brazilian Ayrton Senna raced for the At the San Marino Grand Prix, where Gilles Nigel Mansell (lotus ford, lotus renault) 9 Derek Warwick (toleman hart) Brits, the famous team celebrated their last winning mandatory. It was a fine time to watch the drivers Villeneuve should’ve won a year before, Canadian’s 4 Marc Surer (arrows ford) 3 Mauro Baldi (alfa romeo) moments. at their work, for the killjoy engineers, with al good friend Patrick Tambay celebrated a fine win. 2 Danny Sullivan (tyrrell ford) Before the start of the 1983 season Alain Prost their computers and wind tunnels, had yet to find It was his second and last, but he probably wouldn’t Elio de Angelis (lotus renault) 1 Bruno Giacomelli (toleman hart) informed Renault he was to leave the team if the much in the way of new down-force to replace the change it for a dozen others. Patrick Tambay: Johnny Cecotto (theodore ford) French kept René Arnoux as the second driver. The old. Inevitably, though, there was a new madness. “Sometimes a Grand Prix makes you feel there is, TEAMS reason for this was the 1982 French Grand Prix. Fuel stops, revived by Brabham in mid-1982, were after al , a God. This was one such. The year before, 89 Ferrari 79 Renault Arnoux won there despite his promise he would now de rigoeur for competiveness, and some of the Gilles had qualified third, and someone painted a 72 Brabham BMW help Prost win the championship. So Arnoux went hideously primitive refuelling devices used by the Canadian Maple Leaf on the third place on the grid. 36 Williams Ford 34 McLaren Ford to Ferrari and in 1983 Scuderia celebrated their last lesser teams had to be seen to be disbelieved. It was a By coincidence, I qualified third this time, and when 18 Alfa Romeo title (the World Cup for Constructors) for the next time of keeping clear of the pits. Bernie Ecclestone: I lined my car up there, I completely broke down – I 12 Tyrell Ford 11 Lotus Renault 16 years. “Personally, I think refuelling is fantastic – for TV, was crying like a child. In the race, though, I was OK 10 Toleman Hart 4 Arrows Ford The season of 1983 began on an optimistic note: for the public, for everyone. And far as safety is and it was the most emotional day of my career. To 2 Williams Honda FISA had at last seen the folly of the ground effect concerned, what worries me more is having about win at Imola, in Ferrari number 27… It’s difficult to 1 Theodore Ford Lotus Ford era, had banned skirts, made flat-bottomed cars 2000 people looking the other way, when cars are describe it, but what happened was more than just winning a race. Really, it wasn’t me driving the car Only the reigning world champion had a right to take to be painted. Mansell raced with a red 5 during his Race Pole Winner that day – it was as if Gilles was with me all the way the number 1 into another team. The use of numbers campaign at Williams in the mid eighties. GP BRAZIL Rosberg Piquet (4) through. Number 27 should have won at Imola in ’82, varied in the first two decades of Formula 1 racing. Back to 1983! Frank Williams about the Monaco GP USA WEST Tambay Watson (22) and I felt a great peace that now it had.” From 1984 Drivers had different numbers at each race. The first Grand Prix: “Keke at Monaco? Well, it was one of the GP FRANCE Prost Prost onwards other Ferrari drivers raced with the number champion to race with the number 1 all season was great drives, wasn’t it? Quite brilliant. Slippery track, GP SAN MARINO Arnoux Tambay (3) 27 (Michele Alboreto, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Emerson Fittipaldi in 1975. In 1952, when the season slicks… I don’t think anyone improvises like he does. GP MONACO Prost Rosberg (5) Gianni Morbidelli, Jean Alesi, Nicola Larini…) and had 107 different drivers, the Frenchman Robert Made the rest look flat-footed.” Alain Prost after the GP BELGIUM Prost Prost GP USA Arnoux Alboreto (6) in 1990 Ayrton Senna borrowed it while racing at Manzon raced at one of the competitions with the Austrian Grand Prix: “After I won in Austria, I had a GP CANADA Arnoux Arnoux McLaren. The last driver to use the number 27 was number 107! Sometimes the FIA had to improvise. 14-point lead, and the Renault people thought I was GP GREAT BRITAIN Arnoux Prost (3) Jean Alesi in 1995, for in 1996 FIA ended this mess. In 1994 Damon Hill and Ayrton Senna raced with crazy when I said we would lose the championship to GP GERMANY Tambay Arnoux (2) Up to 2014 the numbers (except for the number 13) the numbers 0 and 2, for Alain Prost retired as world Piquet and Brabham. From somewhere, though, the GP AUSTRIA Tambay Prost (5) were strictly awarded from the beginning and based champion at the end of the 1993 season. To recognize BMW engine suddenly had a lot more power. ‘Look,’ GP NETHERLANDS Piquet Arnoux (10) on final standings in the World Cup for Constructors. the cars in an easier way the numbers sometimes had I said, ‘we can’t get pole position anywhere, because GP ITALY Patrese Piquet (4) GP EUROPE de Angelis Piquet (4) GP SOUTH AFRICA* Tambay Patrese (3) »Sometimes a Grand Prix makes you feel there is, after all, a God.« Most wins Most pole positions 4 Prost 4 Arnoux PATRICK TAMBAY 3 Piquet Tambay Arnoux 3 Prost our engine won’t accept a lot of boost, so Piquet will 1 Tambay 1 Piquet always start ahead of us – and with his power he’ll Rosberg Rosberg be impossible to pass in the race.’ But Renault were Watson Patrese simply too complacent, too big, to be able to respond Patrese de Angelis quickly.” Alain Prost was right. At the remaining Alboreto three races Nelson Piquet summed up 22 points 4 Ferrari 8 Ferrari and celebrated his second title at the South African Renault 3 Renault Grand Prix. Despite this Bernie Ecclestone wasn’t Brabham 2 Brabham happy, for Piquet drove conservatively to finish third, 1 Williams 1 Williams behind his teammate Riccardo Patrese and Andrea McLaren Lotus de Cesaris driving a Alfa Romeo. Bernie Ecclestone: Tyrrell “Nelson Piquet won the championship, but gave the race away. I don’t pay drivers to lose races.” Nelson Piquet: “You get paid so little by Bernie that you have to get something else out of it – and all I wanted was the championship. I’m very happy to have the title again, but it didn’t change my life the first time, and it won’t now.” 1984 NIKI LAUDA (McLaren Porsche) The reigning world champion Nelson Piquet was the race was stopped on lap 31 by Jacky Ickx, the Clerk having a disastrous season in 1984. Even though he was of the Course. Prost, who was waving his hands to the by far the best driver in qualifying, he basically lost his men in charge of the race 3 laps before, was relieved. chances of retaining the title after only 6 races in which Alain Prost: “Obviously, I think it was a good decision he failed to score a single point. Not only that, he had 9 to stop the race! And for sure it was bad for Senna and car failures in 16 races! Bellof (German’s third place was erased, for later Team FISA banned refuelling and introduced a tankage Tyrell was disqualified out of the whole championship limit of 220 litres. For all the turbo teams, in varying due to irregularities over the weight of their cars), but degrees, this brought problems, and Alfa Romeo, that’s the way it is. I think it’s stupid to say the race STANDINGS accustomed to working through 300 or more litres in was stopped because I was leading, I don’t know Jacky 72 Niki Lauda (mclaren TAG porsche) 71,5 Alain Prost (mclaren TAG porsche) a race, never did solve it. The drivers could only laugh Ickx very well, but does anyone really imagine, that a 34 Elio de Angelis (lotus renault) to this new rule. Eddie Cheever, who was fourth at the guy like that was going to stop the race because I have 30,5 Michele Alboreto (ferrari) 29 Nelson Piquet (brabham BMW) first race in Brazil, said: “Sure, I finished fourth, but I a Porsche engine, and he drives for Porsche?” Ickx, 27 René Arnoux (ferrari) 23 Derek Warwick (renault) wasn’t racing – not at al . What the hell kind of a race is who won the famous race 24 Hours of Le Mans on 20,5 Keke Rosberg (williams honda) it when the drivers have to back off from a duel because four different occasions with Porsche (the last time 13 Ayrton Senna (toleman hart) Nigel Mansell (lotus renault) they’re worried about running out of gas.” in1982!), was later suspended because he didn’t consult 11 Patrick Tambay (renault) Team McLaren, which was using Porsche engines, his decision with other commissars. Senna was at first 9 Teo Fabi (brabham BMW) 8 Riccardo Patrese (alfa romeo) adapted to this new rule best, and even before the by a stopped Brabham of the Italian Corrado Fabi angry with his decision, but later admitted he was 5 Jacques Laffite (williams honda) Thierry Boutsen (arrows ford, arrows BMW) Monaco Grand Prix it was clear that the only title (younger brother of racing driver Teo Fabi) and on lap actually lucky, for it was the rain that helped him show 3 Eddie Cheever (alfa romeo) contenders were to be teammates Alain Prost and Niki 9 Alain got passed by Nigel Mansell. The latter found others of what he was capable of doing in a racing car. Stefan Johansson (tyrrell ford, toleman hart) Andrea de Cesaris (ligier renault) Lauda. him self in the lead for the first time in his Formula 1 It wasn’t long when another controversial race was 2 Piecarlo Ghinzani (osella alfa romeo) At Monaco the Brazilian Ayrton Senna (Toleman career, but it was short-lived, for 6 laps later he crashed held. It was the US-West Grand Prix on a street circuit 1 Marc Surer (arrows ford, arrows BMW) Hart) caught the eye of the public for the first time in into Armco and Prost was back in the lead. Meanwhile, in Dal as. The FIA rule book stipulated that no circuit TEAMS 143,5 McLaren TAG Porsche his Formula 1 career. The race in Monte Carlo started Senna was catching up with lightning speed. He started new to Formula 1 could run a Grand Prix without 57,5 Ferrari with a 45-minute delay due to heavy rain, and Alain as 13th, was ninth after the first lap, seventh after six first holding a race of lesser consequence – a trial run, 47 Lotus Renault 38 Brabham BMW Prost took the lead at the start. At the back, though, laps, he passed Lauda in second place on lap 19, and if you wish. But street tracks were exempt from this 34 Renault Arnoux and the British driver Derek Warwick got started chasing Prost in first place – every lap taking rule, and in Dal as the folly of that was clear to al . By 25,5 Williams Honda 16 Toleman Hart tangled up in a crash, with Warwick also crashing into seconds out of a sizeable lead. Even more remarkable, Friday afternoon, the temperature was 107, and the 11 Alfa Romeo 3 Ligier Renault his teammate Tambay. They both suffered leg injuries perhaps, was that another novice, the German Stefan surface was breaking up, badly. The following day, a Arrows Ford and Tambay’s were so severe, he had to miss the next Bellof, was up to third (from 20th on the grid!) in his 50-lap Can-Am race served to chew up what little Arrows BMW 2 Osella Alfa Romeo race in Canada. Prost was later held up at the tunnel Tyrell – and closing on both of them. Unfortunately remained of the racing surface. Dal as Fair Park looked like a dirt track. An over-night bodge-job with epoxy There’s no point in blaming anyone here in Dal as, this their teams entered the championship with only Race Pole Winner concrete compound proved ineffective. There arose is FISA’s fault for not insisting on new circuits having one car and in Monza they had two. The same story GP BRAZIL de Angelis Prost (4) rumours that the race would be postponed – maybe a try-out run before a Grand Prix… In the end, we’re happened only once more, it was in 1987, when the GP SOUTH AFRICA Piquet Lauda (8) even cancelled altogether. And all the while the stands all whores – if the money’s right, we’ll do our stuff for Frenchman Yannick Dalmas (Larrousse Ford) finished GP BELGIUM Alboreto Alboreto were filling up. By late morning on race day there were anyone.” fifth in Australia. GP SAN MARINO Piquet Prost (2) 90,000 folk on hand. Keke Rosberg: “We don’t want In Monza, where Lauda won, the Austrians Jo The championship between Alain Prost and Niki GP FRANCE Tambay Lauda (9) to break bones. Everyone worries about pain. It’s crazy Gartner (Osella Alfa Romeo) and Gerhard Berger Lauda was decided at the last race of the season in GP MONACO Prost Prost GP CANADA Piquet Piquet to race, but what are you going to do? There’s a huge (ATS BMW) didn’t receive points for their fifth and Portugal. After a bad start Lauda managed to crawl up GP USA WEST Piquet Piquet crowd out there, and a lot of countries waiting for TV. sixth place in the race. The reason for this was that to second place and snatch away the title from Prost GP USA EAST Mansell Rosberg (8) GP GREAT BRITAIN Piquet Lauda (3) GP GERMANY Prost Prost »Sure, I finished fourth, but I wasn’t racing - not at all. What the GP AUSTRIA Piquet Lauda (4) GP NETHERLANDS Prost Prost GP ITALY Piquet Lauda (4) hell kind of a race is it when the drivers have to back off from a duel GP EUROPE Piquet Prost (2) GP PORTUGAL* Piquet Prost (2) because they’re worried about running out of gas.« EDDIE CHEEVER Most wins Most pole positions 7 Prost 9 Piquet 5 Lauda 3 Prost by half a point. Niki Lauda: “Alain is extremely quick. 2 Piquet 1 de Angelis Having him as a teammate has stimulated me, but it 1 Alboreto Alboreto has also haunted me. There is no break in the pressure. Rosberg Mansell He’s always right there, always on form. I was never in Tambay this position with a teammate before. Sometimes one 12 McLaren 9 Brabham of them would beat me, but I always felt I would be in 2 Brabham 3 McLaren front next time. With Alain it’s different. I have had to 1 Ferrari 2 Lotus drive faster and faster, better and better all the time.” Williams 1 Ferrari Alain Prost: “In my karting days, Niki was my idol. Renault I used to model myself on him, dream of achieving success like him, and to be in a team with him, with the same equipment, same chances, was something fantastic.” The McLaren team leader Ron Dennis was supposedly unhappy with Lauda's result. Niki Lauda explained: “If Alain Prost had won the world championship, then this result would be mainly Dennis's, this way it's mainly mine.” 1985 ALAIN PROST (McLaren Porsche) McLaren took both titles in 1985, but unlike how people used to say that my win in the wet at the 1984 season, the Woking team didn’t sweep with Donington in ’93 was my greatest performance – no the competition that easily. A new name amongst way! I had traction control! OK, I didn’t make any the teams was Minardi. In the next 20 years it would real mistakes, but the car was so much easier to drive race more or less at the back of the field, but it was a in Donington than in Estoril. I was lucky in Portugal, stepping stone for several drivers to become racing because I made quite a few mistakes, on top of that I’ve stars. The two time champion Fernando Alonso no idea how many times I went off! Once I nearly spun began his career in Minardi, as did drivers who later in front of the pits, like Prost, and I was lucky to stay managed to win at least one Grand Prix race (Mark on the road.” Webber, Jarno Trul i, Giancarlo Fisichella, Alessandro Ayrton was the ‘name of the season,’ especially STANDINGS Nannini). Even the 1997 and 1998 Champ Car or because of his incredible achievements in qualifying. 73 Alain Prost (mclaren TAG porsche) better yet Indy Car champion Alessandro Zanardi But sometimes he managed to get a few drivers very 53 Michele Alboreto (ferrari) 40 Keke Rosberg (williams honda) drove in a Minardi for a while. In 2006 the team was angry. At Monaco he ruined a good time for both 38 Ayrton Senna (lotus renault) 33 Elio de Angelis (lotus renault) sold to Gerhard Berger and Dietrich Mateschitz – the Lauda and Alboreto. Ayrton Senna: “I did block Lauda 31 Nigel Mansell (williams honda) latter being the owner of one the biggest brands in the once when he was on a quick lap. But then Niki started 26 Stefan Johansson (tyrrell ford, ferrari) 21 Nelson Piquet (brabham BMW) world called Red Bul . The Austrian pair renamed the this crazy story about me holding him up for seven laps 16 Jacques Laffite (ligier renault) team to Toro Rosso. Two years later the German driver or something. As for Alboreto, I have no time for him. 14 Niki Lauda (mclaren TAG porsche) 11 Thierry Boutsen (arrows BMW) Sebastian Vettel managed to win the Italian Grand Prix circumstances that were mysterious, to say the least. He said some very bad things about me. He says I’ll Patrick Tambay (renault) 5 Marc Surer (brabham BMW) driving their car. Vague references were made to ‘health problems,’ and never be World Champion. Maybe not, but it won’t be Derek Warwick (renault) After the first race of the 1985 season Prost led the Ferrari decided to run the Swede Stefan Johansson Alboreto who will stop me.” 4 Philippe Streiff (ligier renault, tyrrell renault) Stefan Bellof (tyrrell ford, tyrrell renault) championship, after the second race Alboreto, after the alongside Michele Alboreto for the balance of the On occasion, some other driver alongside Senna 3 Andrea de Cesaris (ligier renault) third and fourth race De Angelis, and then Alboreto season. Stefan Johansson: “It was April 16, I remember, excelled in qualifying. Spots of rain were beginning Ivan Capelli (tyrrell renault) René Arnoux (ferrari) again all the way to the Dutch Grand Prix. Prior to this a Tuesday, and I was in a black mood. Then the phone to come down in Silverstone as Keke Rosberg hurtled Gerhard Berger (arrows BMW) race he had the exact amount of points as Prost (50) rang, and it was Marco Picinnini from Ferrari, telling up to Woodcote. The crowd was on their feet, when TEAMS and was the only real challenger to the Frenchman. me to get the first flight I could. I arrived to the factory Keke crossed the start-finish line with his Williams. 90 McLaren TAG Porsche 82 Ferrari But the Ferrari driver, who finished the Dutch race in at about 8.30 in the evening. It was incredible – all Everybody waited for the track announcer as he 71 Williams Honda fourth place (two places behind Prost), wasn’t able to the mechanics and staff were standing outside, saying cruised through Copse. Suddenly it thundered from Lotus Renault 26 Brabham BMW finish the next 5 races, so it was an easy ‘walk’ for Alain ‘Welcome to Maranello’. Can you imagine how I felt?” the loud speakers: “One-sixty! It’s been done at last! 23 Ligier Renault 16 Renault Prost. On a wet Portuguese track Estoril the first win Keke Rosberg! Williams-Honda! … One minute five 14 Arrows BMW Following the Brazilian Grand Prix, Frenchman from the first time on pole position was celebrated by point nine six seven.” Back then Silverstone didn’t have 4 Tyrrell Ford 3 Tyrrell Renault Arnoux was ‘released’ from his Ferrari contract in a young Brazilian driver. Ayrton Senna: “I remember chicanes – Keke became the first driver to break the average speed of 160mph or a little over 257kph. Frenchman therefore managed only a 3 and not championship – but it’s not the end of the season yet!” Race Pole Winner At the next race in Germany everybody was a 6 points advantage over Alboreto in the overall Prior to the Italian Grand Prix Stefan Bellof was GP BRAZIL Alboreto Prost (6) surprised by how much Teo Fabi managed to squeeze standings (56 to 53). And this despite the fact Niki killed at the wheel of a Porsche 962 sportscar in the GP PORTUGAL Senna Senna out of his Toleman Hart. The Italian beat everybody only managed to score 5 points prior to this race and Spa 1000 Kms. Gerhard Berger: “Bellof was one of GP SAN MARINO Senna de Angelis (3) in qualifying by almost 1.2 seconds. During this race a would need a miracle of all miracles to retain the title. the best – I mean, one of the very best. He was going GP MONACO Senna Prost (5) camera was mounted on Francois Hesnault’s Renault Alain Prost explained: “Niki told me before the race he to be the big rival of Senna, I think.” Ken Tyrell: “He GP CANADA de Angelis Alboreto (3) and for the first time in history a live broadcast from would win if he could. He wanted to win a race in his was going to Ferrari for 1986, and although I hated the GP USA EAST Senna Rosberg (5) GP FRANCE Rosberg Piquet (5) a racing car was possible. This was also the last race, final year, and I understood that. Are we still friends? idea for him leaving the team, it was inevitable one of GP GREAT BRITAIN Rosberg Prost (3) where a team could enter 3 racing cars. Of course!” the top big guns would get him. Who knows what he GP GERMANY Fabi Alboreto (8) At the Dutch Grand Prix Alain Prost finished Niki Lauda added: “I promised that at the end of might have achieved.” GP AUSTRIA Prost Prost second, behind his teammate Niki Lauda. The the season I would do everything to help Alain to the At the European Grand Prix in Brands Hatch Prost GP NETHERLANDS Piquet Lauda (10) GP ITALY Senna Prost (5) GP BELGIUM Prost Senna (2) GP EUROPE* Senna Mansell (3) »Mansell was lucky to win his first two races, but my God, how GP SOUTH AFRICA Mansell Mansell GP AUSTRALIA Senna Rosberg (3) they changed him. He became a better driver!« JAMES HUNT Most wins Most pole positions 5 Prost 7 Senna 2 Alboreto 2 Prost secured himself his first title with a fourth place in the Rosberg Rosberg race. Alain Prost: “Now I’ve won the championship Senna 1 Alboreto with an English car, with a German engine, with Mansell de Angelis American tyres and sponsorships – and all the French 1 de Angelis Mansell journalists could talk about was how fantastic it was Piquet Piquet Lauda Fabi for France. I said: ‘Look, today I celebrate for me. Next week we can talk about France.’” At this race Mansell 6 McLaren 8 Lotus celebrated his first ever Formula 1 victory. Nigel 4 Williams 3 Williams Mansell: “Keke helped me win my first race, in that he 3 Lotus 2 McLaren helped me get passed Senna, and I have to thank him 2 Ferrari 1 Ferrari for that. At first he didn’t want me at Williams – at 1 Brabham Brabham all – but I think now we actually like each other. Keke Toleman is completely honest. If he thinks you’re a rat, he’ll call you a rat. The great thing about him is that you know where you are – there’s no bullshit at al . That’s not true about certain other people.” Mansell's wins were the first of many to come. He gathered 33 by the end of his Formula 1 career. 1986 ALAIN PROST (McLaren Porsche) Even as late as after the Austrian Grand Prix, rest of his life. Frank broke his neck and for several that is: four races before the end of the season, the weeks his life hung on a thin thread. The reason for first four drivers in the overall standings were split the team’s loss at the end of the season perhaps lied by mere 8 points. Mansell had most (55), followed in Frank’s accident. Nelson Piquet: “When I signed by Prost (53), Senna (48) and Piquet (47). Senna for Williams, Frank told me I was number one, no had a car failure and a fourth place (he ran out of problem. It would have been different if he’d said gas) at the next two races, so he was out of the title then that it would be equal terms with Mansell, but chase. Prior to the big finale in Australia Mansell no, I was to be number one. Then, of course, Frank led the championship with 70 points, while Piquet had an accident, and suddenly he was in hospital and Prost had 63 each. One of the biggest dramas with problems a million times worse than mine. unfolded. Prost’s tyre blew and it seemed his chances When things were not working for me, I had to be a STANDINGS of retaining the title were gone. It seemed that only bigger man, and shut up.” 72 Alain Prost (mclaren TAG porsche) 70 Nigel Mansell (williams honda) Mansell and Piquet were to battle it out. Alain In this season (and the next two as well) only 69 Nelson Piquet (williams honda) 55 Ayrton Senna (lotus renault) Prost: “When I got the puncture, I lost a lot of time one more name alongside Prost, Mansell, Piquet and 23 Stefan Johansson (ferrari) on the slow lap back to the pits, so then all I could Senna stood on the highest podium place. It was 22 Keke Rosberg (mclaren TAG porsche) 17 Gerhard Berger (benetton BMW) do was push as hard as possible. From the halfway Gerhard Berger. In 1986 Berger won the Mexican 14 Jacques Laffite (ligier renault) point, my fuel read-out had been telling me I was Grand Prix, where he managed to beat the ‘Big 4’ Michele Alboreto (ferrari) René Arnoux (ligier matra) five litres the wrong side – that I wouldn’t make the moment, then Piquet would secure himself a third by 25 seconds in his Benetton. His team (Benetton 8 Martin Brundle (tyrrell renault) 4 Alan Jones (lola hart, lola ford) finish unless I backed off. But of course I couldn’t title, but the men in charge at Williams were afraid, bought Team Toleman) decided that the Pirelli tyres 3 Johnny Dumfries (lotus renault) do that because I was so far behind, so I just had for Prost, Mansell and Rosberg all had punctures. would simply have to last until the end of the race, so Philippe Streiff (tyrrell renault) 2 Patrick Tambay (lola hart, lola ford) to hope, that, for once, the computer was wrong. Patrick Head: “If we had let Nelson out there, and Berger didn’t stop for tyres, while the other drivers Teo Fabi (benetton BMW) Fortunately it was…” Towards the end of the race he’d made it, we’d have looked like heroes, but if he stopped at least once. Riccardo Patrese (brabham BMW) 1 Christian Danner (osella alfa romeo, arrows BMW) Prost was second (for Rosberg had a puncture and had an accident, and hurt himself, we’d have looked A new track on the calendar was a short circuit Philippe Alliot (ligier renault) had to retire!), behind Piquet, with Mansell being idiots.” Piquet wasn’t angry with this decision, it was named Hungaroring on the outskirts of Budapest, TEAMS third – this was all that the Englishman needed quite the opposite. Nelson Piquet: “I knew I might where the first Hungarian Grand Prix was organized 141 Williams Honda 96 McLaren TAG Porsche to win the title. But with only 70 kilometres to go be loosing the championship, but I didn’t care. I was – the first behind the Iron Curtain. Capitalism met 58 Lotus Renault Mansell too suffered a puncture, but unlike Prost’s alive.” with communism. This didn’t bother the Hungarians 37 Ferrari 29 Ligier Renault car his wasn’t driveable any more. Patrick Head: “At So the season ended in a bad way for Team at al , for on race day the track was packed with 19 Benetton BMW 11 Tyrrell Renault that stage he could have stopped for tyres and still Williams. In fact, it even started badly. Frank Formula 1 fans. No less than 250 thousand gathered 6 Lola Ford gone to get the championship, because there was no Williams had a car accident in March and it was to watch the best drivers at work. “No problem, 2 Brabham BMW 1 Arrows BMW one close behind him.” If the race was over at that clear he was going to end up in a wheelchair for the Formula 1 in a Communist country. We are only Communists when someone is listening,” was the – could be done. They found his Brabham BMW the crash were not themselves life-threatening. He Race Pole Winner comment of a Budapest cab driver.. upside down and on fire. Nearly ten minutes passed died of asphyxiation. Alan Jones, who was getting GP BRAZIL Senna Piquet (2) The 1986 season saw the last fatal accident of before it was righted, and before De Angelis was back to Formula 1 as a member of Team Lola, was GP SPAIN Senna Senna the 80’s. Just a few days after the Monaco Grand released from the cockpit. Although a doctor was in the first at the scene of the crash. Alan Jones: “There GP SAN MARINO Senna Prost (4) Prix Elio De Angelis had been killed during testing attendance at this time, no helicopter was present, was no fire when I first got to the car, just some black GP MONACO Prost Prost at the French Paul Ricard. Help came first from his and half an hour passed before one arrived. The smoke. The problem was that we just couldn’t right GP BELGIUM Piquet Mansell (5) fellow drivers, who stopped to see what – if anything injuries that De Angelis had suffered as a result of the car because it was too heavy. There were a couple GP CANADA Mansell Mansell GP USA EAST Senna Senna GP FRANCE Senna Mansell (2) GP GREAT BRITAIN Piquet Mansell (2) »Frank told me I was number 1. It would have been different if GP GERMANY Rosberg Piquet (5) GP HUNGARY Senna Piquet (2) he’d said that it would be equal terms with Mansell. GP AUSTRIA Fabi Prost (5) GP ITALY Fabi Piquet (6) GP PORTUGAL Senna Mansell (2) Then, of course, Frank had an accident, and suddenly he was in GP MEXICO Senna Berger (4) GP AUSTRALIA* Mansell Prost (4) hospital with problems a million times worse than mine.« NELSON PIQUET Most wins Most pole positions 5 Mansell 8 Senna 4 Prost 2 Mansell of guys there – marshals – who were in normal Piquet Piquet clothes. Shorts, in fact. They had these piddling little 2 Senna Fabi fire extinguishers which did nothing at al … Finally 1 Berger 1 Prost a truck arrived, with a big extinguisher. They parked Rosberg it too far away, and then at first they couldn’t get 9 Williams 8 Lotus it to work. Then they stood about eight feet away 4 McLaren 4 Williams and blew all the extinguisher powder in towards the 2 Lotus 2 McLaren cockpit and not the engine. Apart from anything 1 Benetton Benetton else, that powder will have done him no good. I never felt so frustrated in my life.” Jo Ramirez, who was a long-time coordinator at McLaren, added: “I remember there was a particular Rolex he wanted, but it was a very expensive one. He hesitated for weeks, finally he bought it. He took off the watch he had, and gave it to me. It was a gold Baume-Mercier, and I still have it. It upsets me to think of it even now, the way he suffered – he was not hurt in any way; he just couldn’t breath. Shameful.” 1987 NELSON PIQUET (Williams Honda) In 1987 the Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet finally movements because they would tell me when to make got what he was after by coming to Team Williams – my move. I went slightly to the right, just to make him his third championship title. But it wasn’t easy. Not react. It worked. He leaned his head in that direction just because of another fight with his fast teammate and looked at me in his mirror. He immediately put Nigel Mansell, but also or better yet mostly because of his car more to the right side of the track to defend his a huge accident in practice of the San Marino Grand position, but right at that moment I made a sharp left. Prix in Imola, after which he had head pain for several You should’ve seen him! He now leaned his head to months. He flew off track at Tamburello and crashed the other side to check the other mirror. He fell for it! STANDINGS 73 Nelson Piquet (williams honda) heavily into the wal . He wasn’t allowed to race, he He tried to defend the outside line at all costs but by 61 Nigel Mansell (williams honda) returned behind a racing car at the Belgium Grand then it was all over because I went to the inside again 57 Ayrton Senna (lotus honda) 46 Alain Prost (mclaren TAG porsche) Prix. Professor Sid Watkins, the famous neurosurgeon, and came out of his slipstream before the right-hand 36 Gerhard Berger (ferrari) recalled: “In Imola Piquet tried desperately to convince Stowe corner. He realised too late that he had made a 30 Stefan Johansson (mclaren TAG porsche) 17 Michele Alboreto (ferrari) me he was able to race – he cried, begged, even mistake… He tried to chop me but nothing was going 16 Thierry Boutsen (benetton ford) 12 Teo Fabi (benetton ford) threatened me… But it was clear that after such a blow to stop me now and I never even lifted off the throttle. 8 Eddie Cheever (arrows megatron) to the head I wouldn’t give him permission. ‘Nelson,’ I I was too pumped up after 25 flat-out laps to be 7 Jonathan Palmer (tyrrell ford) Satoru Nakajima (lotus honda) said, ‘two hours after the accident you didn’t even know intimidated by that sort of thing and when I crossed the 6 Riccardo Patrese (brabham BMW, williams honda) you were a racing driver. Forget it!’” finish line the cheers from the grandstand drowned out 4 Andrea de Cesaris (brabham BMW) Philippe Streiff (tyrrell ford) Nelson Piquet: “I didn’t feel well long after the podium places! Mansell did have twice the amount of the screaming Honda engine. The fans went berserk. 3 Derek Warwick (arrows megatron) Philippe Alliot (lola ford) accident in Imola. I could only sleep for two or three wins as Piquet, but the Englishman summed up a much It was so unashamedly emotional moment. There will 2 Martin Brundle (zakspeed) hours, the rest of the time I was basically just napping. larger number of non-finishes. never be another race in my whole career which will 1 Ivan Capelli (march ford) René Arnoux (ligier megatron) Only towards the end of the season did I start feeling Mansell’s best drive was at his home Grand Prix in mean as much as this one.” Mansell ran out of fuel soon Roberto Moreno (AGS ford) better. My confidence had returned, so I managed to Silverstone, where the Honda drivers took the first four after he crossed the line, so the fans quickly surrounded TEAMS be quick in the car again. But prior to that… well, I was places in the race. The competition in Britain would him. He won with a little less than a 2 second advantage 137 Williams Honda 76 McLaren TAG Porsche certainly much slower than Mansell. So I focused on actually end up quite boring, if Mansell hadn’t made an ahead of Piquet, Senna and the Japanese driver Satoru 64 Lotus Honda finishing all the races and avoiding accidents as well, for unexpected stop. He was 29 seconds down on Piquet Nakajima in third and fourth place were already down 53 Ferrari 28 Benetton Ford Nigel was simply impossible to catch.” with 28 laps to go, but that didn’t stop the Williams by at least one lap. 11 Arrows Megatron Nelson’s tactics turned out to be the right one. driver of chasing down his teammate. Nigel Mansell: The British Grand Prix was the seventh race of the Tyrrell Ford 10 Brabham BMW He was slower than Mansell, but alongside the 3 wins “On lap 63 (out of 65!) I caught him on the Hagar season and just like the year before it was Senna that 3 Lola Ford 2 Zakspeed he managed to be second in 7 other races – from the straight and immediately put my car behind his. For led the championship after seven races. But together 1 Ligier Megatron Monaco Grand Prix up to the race in Portugal (that’s 9 a moment he couldn’t see me in his rear view mirrors. with Prost he was basically out of the title fight ahead AGS Ford March Ford competitions in a row!) he always stood on one of the I wanted to trick him… I was watching his hand of the Mexican Grand Prix, where Piquet found himself behind the winner Mansell for the fourth time in the happened even before the race had started! In practice days. He needs it like a blood transfusion.” Ferrari won Race Pole Winner season. Nelson Piquet: “Some people wrote some things Mansell spun into a tyre barrier, injuring his back in the last race of the season as well but Scuderia could’ve GP BRAZIL Mansell Prost (5) about my relationship with Mansell which were not the process, so that was the end of him for 1987, and celebrated a win in Portugal too – Berger, who was GP SAN MARINO Senna Mansell (2) fair. In Mexico they said I tried to put Nigel out. I said Piquet, now confirmed as World Champion, qualified second there, missed his opportunity to win because GP BELGIUM Mansell Prost (6) that if I want to put someone out of a race, I do it. Very a poor fifth, and blew up late in the race. A 1-2 was of a quite interesting reason. Gerhard Berger: “Money GP MONACO Mansell Senna (2) professionally. I don’t try. I do it.” celebrated at Ferrari. Michele Alboreto: “We needed to pushes you a lot, you know. I led most of the way in GP USA Mansell Senna (2) The championship was decided in Japan, but it win – especially for Mr. Ferrari, who is not so well these Portugal, and I was tired, and they showed me a board, GP FRANCE Mansell Mansell GP GREAT BRITAIN Piquet Mansell (2) GP GERMANY Mansell Piquet (4) GP HUNGARY Mansell Piquet (3) »In Imola Piquet tried desperately to convince me he was GP AUSTRIA Piquet Mansell (2) GP ITALY Piquet Piquet able to race - he cried, begged, even threatened me... ‘Nelson,’ I said, GP PORTUGAL Berger Prost (3) GP SPAIN Piquet Mansell (2) GP MEXICO Mansell Mansell ‘two hours after the accident you didn’t even know you GP JAPAN* Berger Berger GP AUSTRALIA Berger Berger were a racing driver. Forget it!’« SID WATKINS Most wins Most pole positions 6 Mansell 8 Mansell 3 Piquet 4 Piquet saying how many laps were left, how much Prost was Prost 3 Berger closing. And I knew I had to fight for my contract for 2 Senna 1 Senna next year – how could I get good money if I gave in? Berger So I kept pushing, pushing, and eventually I spun and lost the race. Stupid, isn’t it, that money should figure 9 Williams 12 Williams 3 McLaren 3 Ferrari in thinking like that? But it does.” Berger hesitated of 2 Lotus 1 Lotus signing with Ferrari before the start of the season. “I had Ferrari a chance to sign for McLaren or Ferrari. Reason told me to go to Ron Dennis at McLaren, but my heart kept telling me to join the Old Enzo and his team. I guess my heart was stronger than reason on the day I signed,” said Berger. Piquet was the champion for the third time in 7 years and the owner of the Williams team gave quite an interesting statement about him. Frank Williams: “You wouldn’t think Nelson had a care in the world. He sleeps before a race, relaxes and tells silly jokes all the time, in shocking English.” 1988 AYRTON SENNA (McLaren Honda) There never was much doubt that McLaren would record amount up to 2017 when these lines are being clean up in 1988, given their driving strength and their written down. Honda turbos. Some, though, still questioned that Back to Brazil! After Piquet left Williams at the a turbo would be the thing to have in this final year end of 1987, it seemed that perhaps the feud with of its eligibility; boost was down from 4 to 2.5 bar Mansell would end. It had been a matter of a man (horsepower from, say, 1000 to 670), and fuel from who took life too seriously against one who didn’t 195 to 150 litres. The non-turbo brigade, by contrast, take it seriously enough, and Nelson’s interview with were not restricted on fuel, and, with a minimum the Brazilian edition of Playboy guaranteed further weight of 500, were allowed to run 40 kilos lighter ill-will. The story came out as a kind of al -purpose than the turbos. This ‘transition’ year, FISA had attack on sundry racing folk, including not only intended, would favour the atmospherics. It didn’t Mansell, but also his wife Rosanne. Nigel Mansell: work out that way and McLaren won 15 out of 16 “I found it very offensive – especially what he said STANDINGS races. This record was equalled by Ferrari in 2002 about Rosanne. But I think what Piquet did more 90 Ayrton Senna (mclaren honda) 87 Alain Prost (mclaren honda) and 2004 but it has to be mentioned it was done in than anything else was hurt himself. Perhaps for the 41 Gerhard Berger (ferrari) seasons which had 17 and 18 races! The members of first time, the world could see through the veneer of 27 Thierry Boutsen (benetton ford) 24 Michele Alboreto (ferrari) the McLaren team celebrated ten 1-2 finishes with this ‘great World Champion’. This vindictive attack 22 Nelson Piquet (lotus honda) their driving pair Ayrton Senna-Alain Prost. Statistics on me and my family – and, while he was about it, 17 Ivan Capelli (march judd) Derek Warwick (arrows megatron) of the duet is quite interesting but first, let’s recap: 11 over the second placed driver in qualifying (in most Senna, Prost, Enzo Ferrari, and who knows who else 12 Nigel Mansell (williams judd) Alessandro Nannini (benetton ford) best results counted for the championship – Senna had cases it was Prost) was almost 4 tenths of a second; a – just shows the true character of the man. He has 8 Riccardo Patrese (williams judd) 8 wins and 3 second places while Prost summed up 7 year later more than 8 tenths! His biggest margin in to be very careful, to watch me far more closely than 6 Eddie Cheever (arrows megatron) 5 Mauricio Gugelmin (march judd) wins and 4 second places. Senna’s 7 out of 8 victories 1988 was over a second and in 1989 he managed this I watch him, doesn’t he? With his horsepower, it’s Jonathan Palmer (tyrrell ford) came in the first 11 races of the season but without spread in 5 different qualifying sessions! not easy to get near him this year, but I managed it a 3 Andrea de Cesaris (rial ford) 1 Satoru Nakajima (lotus honda) the unnecessary mistakes in Monaco and Italy where The season began in Brazil where a later well couple of times, and he was shitting himself, believe Pierluigi Martini (minardi ford) he led comfortably he would’ve had 2 more. Perhaps known name emerged out of the shadows of already me.” TEAMS interesting information is this: if all races counted for established drivers. It was the German Bernd Schneider At Monaco Senna beat the second placed man 199 McLaren Honda 65 Ferrari the championship then Prost would have 105 points (Team Zakspeed). Schneider who drove for Team in qualifying (it was his teammate Alain Prost) by 39 Benetton Ford and Senna only 94 (a year later: Alain 78, Ayrton 60). Arrows two years later tried to qualify for a Grand Prix a staggering 1.417 seconds. When the Brazilian 23 Lotus Honda Arrows Megatron The Frenchman made few mistakes in races, but the on 34 different occasions in the next 3 years. He was spoke about his lap which was a clear indication of 22 March Judd 20 Williams Judd Brazilian was the ‘Master’ of qualifying. Senna summed successful nine times but he failed to score points. He his capabilities, his eyes shone with a faraway look 5 Tyrrell Ford up 13 pole positions (remember, out of 16 possible), did however make a staggering career in the German and his voice quavered with intensity. Ayrton Senna: 3 Rial Ford 1 Minardi Ford and he did it a year later as well. His average margin series DTM in which he summed up 5 titles which is a “Suddenly I realised that I was no longer driving the car consciously. I was kind of driving by instinct, only I many drivers, indeed, who suggested that this, rather driving for ‘Ferrari, part of the Fiat company’. He was a Race Pole Winner was in a different dimension. I was way over the limit, than its efficacy as a test track, was Fiorano’s true big personality, a great man, and I’m so happy to have GP BRAZIL Senna Prost (3) but still I was able to find even more. It frightened function. Frank Williams: “I can’t say I ever admired driven for him. But I would love to have been able to GP SAN MARINO Senna Senna me because I realised I was well beyond my conscious Ferrari as such, because he – the man – has had such go Maranello the day after Monza, and to have seen his GP MONACO Senna Prost (2) understanding.” a disruptive influence on motor racing. But I admired face.” GP MEXICO Senna Prost (2) On the 14th August, just before the Belgian Grand him tremendously for his success. He was the yardstick, After the Belgian Grand Prix which was the GP CANADA Senna Senna Prix at Spa, the world of motorsports was saddened wasn’t he?” fourth race win in a row for Senna, Alain Prost GP USA Senna Senna GP FRANCE Prost Prost by the news that Enzo Ferrari had died at the age of Meanwhile McLaren was on its way to win all stated: “Realistically, the championship is over now. GP GREAT BRITAIN Berger Senna (3) 90. His passion for current cars was the major force races. But along came the Italian Grand Prix where I congratulate Ayrton – he’s been the best driver GP GERMANY Senna Senna in his life. Maybe he had long ago given up going to Senna made a mistake, crashed into Jean-Louis this year, and he deserves it.” But after winning GP HUNGARY Senna Senna races, but for hours he would sit in the farmhouse Schlesser, and a 1-2 was celebrated by the Scuderia. The the Portuguese Grand Prix Prost took over the GP BELGIUM Senna Senna at Fiorano, watching and listening as Regazzoni or winner Gerhard Berger said: “Mr Ferrari is gone now, championship lead. Still, he wasn’t happy about it, for GP ITALY Senna Berger (3) Villeneuve or Alboreto pounded round. There were and I miss him. To drive for him was different than this race showed the first signs of a soon to be drama GP PORTUGAL Prost Prost GP SPAIN Senna Prost (2) GP JAPAN* Senna Senna GP AUSTRALIA Senna Prost (2) »To drive for Enzo was different than driving for Ferrari, part of Fiat.« Most wins Most pole positions GERHARD BERGER 8 Senna 13 Senna 7 Prost 2 Prost at McLaren. Prost tried to pass Senna for the lead at 1 Berger 1 Berger the beginning of lap two. As he drew alongside, down the pit straight, Ayrton did not so much edge him 15 McLaren 15 McLaren towards the pit wall as swerve at him, obliging Alain 1 Ferrari 1 Ferrari to squeeze through a dangerously narrow gap – and people on the pit wall ducked. Alain Prost: “I was very close to the wal , and I could do nothing at that point – if I’d backed off, I might have hit Senna’s rear wheel, or something like that. If we’d touched at that speed, it would have been like a plane crash – and we had the whole pack close behind us. If Ayrton wants this championship that badly, he can have it.” Senna won the championship in Japan. Ayrton Senna: “Because of my terrible start, the race was amazingly hard, through the traffic, through the slippery conditions. Until today, you know, I always said my best drive was at Estoril in ’85 – my first win. But not any more: this was my best.” 1989 ALAIN PROST (McLaren Honda) Out of all the seasons, at least up to the year 2017 Winter. After he ended his racing career he resumed his STANDINGS 76 Alain Prost (mclaren honda) when these lines are being written down, the 1989 work in the family business but remained connected 60 Ayrton Senna (mclaren honda) season had most drivers and teams amongst the points with motor racing. In the new millennium Barilla 40 Riccardo Patrese (williams renault) 38 Nigel Mansell (ferrari) scorers. sponsored Alessandro Zanardi in the World Touring 37 Thierry Boutsen (williams renault) 32 Alessandro Nannini (benetton ford) Turbocharged engines were now banned, a period Car Championship (WTCC). 21 Gerhard Berger (ferrari) of 3.5-litre atmospheric engines began, but as in At the front, thought, the eyes were all on Alain 12 Nelson Piquet (lotus judd) 8 Jean Alesi (tyrrell ford) the previous year the 1989 season revolved around Prost and Ayrton Senna. The Frenchman still managed 7 Derek Warwick (arrows ford) McLaren. Without some bad luck (crashes, failures, to make few mistakes in races while the Brazilian – 6 Eddie Cheever (arrows ford) Stefan Johansson (onyx ford) rain…) the Woking team would surely have gathered considered by many as the faster of the two – had more Michele Alboreto (tyrrell ford, lola lamborghini) 5 Johnny Herbert (benetton ford, tyrrell ford) more than 10 wins but it has to be written that Ferrari car failures. Their already fragile friendship was over Pierluigi Martini (minardi ford) and Williams were far more competitive than in 1988. at the San Marino Grand Prix where Senna disobeyed 4 Mauricio Gugelmin (march judd) Andrea de Cesaris (dallara ford) The French Grand Prix saw a debut of a driver who an agreement of non-attacking at the first corner. The Stefano Modena (brabham judd) failed to win the title but managed to put a big mark on San Marino Grand Prix was remembered also because Alex Caffi (dallara ford) Martin Brundle (brabham judd) the sport. It was Jean Alesi who came fourth in his first of a huge accident in which Gerhard Berger crashed 3 Satoru Nakajima (lotus judd) Christian Danner (rial ford) race. Harvey Postlethwaite, Tyrell’s technical director, into the wall at Tamburello. His car was soon ablaze. 2 Emanuele Pirro (benetton ford) said: “If he isn’t World Champion in the coming The Austrian suffered a few minor burns and therefore René Arnoux (ligier ford) Jonathan Palmer (tyrrell ford) years… well, there’s something wrong with motor missed the next Grand Prix. Gerhard Berger: “After 1 Oliver Grouillard (ligier ford) racing.” The same opinion was shared by the British Grand Prix event in more than 200 Formula 1 races! my crash at Tamburello I said to the Imola circuit Gabriele Tarquini (AGS ford) Luis Perez-Sala (minardi ford) commentator Murray Walker who placed Jean Alesi Perhaps another interesting debut of the 1989 people: ‘Could we not move the wall back at that Philippe Alliot (lola lamborghini) amongst the best drivers in his book Murray Walker’s season was the one from the 28-year old Paulo Barilla point, and put in a proper run-off area?’ They said it TEAMS Formula One Heroes. Jean later had two offers on who inherited the well known Italian company Barilla wasn’t possible, because there is a river behind it (it 141 McLaren Honda 77 Williams Renault his table for the 1991 season – the first one was from (established in 1877). Paulo tried his luck with a runs parallel with the track). And I just said: ‘Oh, OK.’ 59 Ferrari Williams and the second one came from Ferrari. Even Minardi at the Japanese Grand Prix. A year later he got When Senna died there five years later, I thought about 39 Benetton Ford 16 Tyrrell Ford more than Berger, for Alesi’s roots go back to Sicily, the regular seat at the Italian team but failed to qualify that. Many times.” The old Tamburello corner must 15 Lotus Judd too many times, so with 2 races from the end of the 13 Arrows Ford Jean’s heart outweighed reason, and the Frenchman have been frightening. The distance between the track 8 Dallara Ford joined the Scuderia team. Walker marked his decision season they had to replace him with his compatriot surface and the wall was small – perhaps no more than Brabham Judd 6 Onyx Ford as the worst of his life, for at the time Williams was Gianni Morbidelli. Times when you could buy a seat 10 metres. When I saw it for the first time in 2005, Minardi Ford on the rise again while Ferrari plunged into a period in Formula 1 became more often, but it has to be the angle looked far more challenging than looking at 4 March Judd 3 Rial Ford of mediocre results. In the next 10 seasons (from his written that Paulo did have some noticeable results it on a map. From a bird’s perspective it looked like a Ligier Ford in motorsports. In 1985 he won the 24 Hour Le 1 AGS Ford debut in 1989) the Frenchman beat his teammate in mild 60-degree corner but from the ground it seemed Lola Lamborghini the overall standings 8 times but he won only one Mans race with fellow drivers Klaus Ludwig and John almost a sharp 90-degree one. And mind you, drivers took it at about 300kph! Even to this day I ask my “Senna seems even more intense this year. I thought word on the radio about any problems with anything.’ Race Pole Winner self why tyre barriers weren’t installed after so many winning the World Championship might lighten him So I think Senna was trying to taunt Prost, to wind GP BRAZIL Senna Mansell (6) accidents (after Piquet and Berger Michele Alboreto up a bit, but not so. He has a very strange personality, him up.” GP SAN MARINO Senna Senna and Riccardo Patrese also crashed there – it was during hasn’t he? In Monte Carlo, during the opening laps, he The championship was decided at the Japanese GP MONACO Senna Senna testing in 1991 and 1992). tooled around, just in front of Prost, obviously holding Grand Prix for the second time in less than a year. GP MEXICO Senna Senna Immediately after the race in San Marino Alain him up, and then suddenly – as they were getting Senna needed to win, but come race day, he found GP USA Senna Prost (2) Prost informed the media of what he, Ron Dennis towards traffic – he went two or even three seconds a himself behind Prost. He followed him for a long GP CANADA Prost Boutsen (6) GP FRANCE Prost Prost and Senna talked about because of the incident in lap quicker. After the race I saw Ron Dennis, and said: time then, at the chicane, he tried to pass on the GP GREAT BRITAIN Senna Prost (2) the first corner. And this despite the fact they agreed ‘What the hell was going on? I got the impression that inside line. Prost shut the door and the rivals crashed. GP GERMANY Senna Senna not to tell anything to anyone. Senna took it personal Senna was playing silly buggers with Prost.’ And Ron Keke Rosberg: “You could tell Alain had never done GP HUNGARY Patrese Mansell (12) while the Monaco Grand Prix followed. James Hunt: said: ‘There’s no other explanation – he never said a anything like that in his life – he did it so badly!” GP BELGIUM Senna Senna GP ITALY Senna Prost (4) GP PORTUGAL Senna Berger (2) GP SPAIN Senna Senna »If Jean Alesi isn’t World Champion in the GP JAPAN* Senna Nannini (6) GP AUSTRALIA Senna Boutsen (5) coming years... well, there’s something wrong with motor racing.« HARVEY POSTLETHWAITE Most wins Most pole positions 6 Senna 13 Senna 4 Prost 2 Prost Prost stepped out of the car immediately while Senna 2 Mansell 1 Patrese continued and eventually won the race. But the Boutsen Brazilian was disqualified because he cut the chicane 1 Nannini and the title went to Prost. Berger With the championship already decided many 10 McLaren 15 McLaren lost interest in watching the finale of the season in 3 Ferrari 1 Williams Australia (Adelaide), but from a spectator’s point of 2 Williams view it proved to be by far the most interesting. It 1 Benetton rained heavily! Prost pulled into the pits after a single lap and climbed from his car. Then Senna crashed heavily into the back of Martin Brundle, a scene which Murray Walker compared to the one from the movie Jaws directed by Steven Sbielberg. On top of that Piqet got tangled up with the Italian Piecarlo Ghianzanni – the right rear tyre slid off the Brazilian’s helmet. Nelson Piquet: “I had tyre marks on it! I really don’t understand why FISA allowed the race to go on. I have never raced in such bad conditions.” 1990 AYRTON SENNA (McLaren Honda) Great battles between Ayrton Senna and Alain driver by taking the inside line, but Senna unexpectedly Prost were fought in 1988, 1989 and 1990. But many came out of Alesi’s slipstream and was first before the people wondered why Senna literary destroyed Prost corner. This time the Brazilian shut the door before in qualifying. During these three seasons of relentless the following left-hand corner and the McLaren driver fights Senna summed up 36 pole positions while held on to the lead to the end of the race. Alesi still Prost only managed to get 4. Ayrton Senna: “Before pushed like hell and for a while closely followed Senna’s each qualifying lap I completely shut off from the McLaren – which brought a smile not only on Ken surrounding world – whether it’s the photographers, Tyrell but all TV viewers – but the Frenchman had to fans or other people. This way I manage to get into a slow down because of tyre wear and finished the race 8 state when I’m capable of driving faster than expected seconds behind the Brazilian. At the press conference – perhaps by two tenths of a second, who would know. the pair was full of praise for one another. Ayrton STANDINGS Before each corner I predict what awaits me, so I correct Senna: “When I caught him, we had a good moment 78 Ayrton Senna (mclaren honda) the small mistakes that might occur in advance and or two at the end of the pit straight – I had a look there 71 Alain Prost (ferrari) 43 Nelson Piquet (benetton ford) prevent the bigger ones from happening. For a good a couple of times, just to be sure, because it was very Gerhard Berger (mclaren honda) qualifying lap you really must do your best, focus on slippery off-line, and then I had a go. It was good – but 37 Nigel Mansell (ferrari) 34 Thierry Boutsen (williams renault) details. Of course, this level of driving is hard to repeat then he went round the outside! It was clean, exciting 23 Riccardo Patrese (williams renault) on race day, for the stress – mental and physical – is just fight.” Alesi, who was second behind Senna at Monaco 21 Alessandro Nannini (benetton ford) 13 Jean Alesi (tyrrell ford) too big. You want to repeat it but it’s just impossible.” team Phoenix Suns the teams with Pirelli tyres had a as well, added: “I was excited, but I was sure that I 6 Ivan Capelli (leyton house judd) Roberto Moreno (euro brun judd, benetton ford) Senna is considered as the ‘King of qualifying’ – big advantage over their rivals. These tyres were well wouldn’t win, I’m a realist. I decided to hold onto the Aguri Suzuki (lola lamborghini) and this despite the fact that Michael Schumacher has used by the then 25-year old Jean Alesi. This race later lead for as long as possible. That’s why I pushed so hard 5 Eric Bernard (lola lamborghini) 3 Derek Warwick (lotus lamborghini) more (68) pole positions to his name. This is mainly proved to be a turning point in the Frenchman’s career. from the beginning. I was at 100% concentration.” The Satoru Nakajima (tyrrell ford) because the German needed 239 races while the Alesi qualified fourth, led the race for a long time, but reason for such Alesi’s combativeness perhaps lays in 2 Alex Caffi (arrows ford) Stefano Modena (brabham judd) Brazilian snatched his 65th pole in his 162nd Grand the competition really became interesting when Senna the fact that young drivers maybe risk more then the 1 Mauricio Gugelmin (leyton house judd) Prix entry. But it has to be written that two big names tried to overtake him on the pit straight half way from more experienced ones which makes them a bit faster. TEAMS have an even better percentage – one is Juan Manuel the end of the Grand Prix. The Brazilian succeeded Riccardo Patrese who at the San Marino Grand Prix 121 McLaren Honda 110 Ferrari Fangio and the other Jim Clark. on the inside line during braking before a right-hand won only his second race in a long career told us a lot 71 Benetton Ford The season began in Phoenix (USA), where only corner, but in the next corner Alesi was back in the lead about young drivers and their risks. Riccardo Patrese: 57 Williams Renault 16 Tyrrell Ford one qualifying session counted for starting positions, for again. Senna had to try again! The two drivers found “I wouldn’t say you consciously take more risks when 11 Lola Lamborghini 7 Leyton House Judd in second practice it rained heavily. On the streets of a themselves only inches apart at the same place in the you’re younger. It’s just that it may seem that way 3 Lotus Lamborghini town where Goran Dragić – a basketball player with the next lap, but Jean couldn’t defend his position that because you have less experience. Speed is something 2 Arrows Ford Brabham Ford same last name as mine – debuted in 2008 for the NBA well because of a backmarker. Jean overtook the slow you either have or you don’t. I wouldn’t say there’s any difference between when I started and now, except that Piquet. The Brit stated: “He should be racing because stopped, I thought of getting out, but I was scared Race Pole Winner I’ve probably actually gained motivation over the years.” he wants to race, not because he wants the money to someone might hit me. My first reaction after that was, GP USA Berger Senna (5) At this first race in Phoenix Gary Brabham (Team support his lifestyle.” The Brazilian replied: “I’ll go on ‘I’m OK,’ the second was, ‘Spare car…’” Senna won this GP BRAZIL Senna Prost (6) Life), the son of the three times World Champion Jack racing, until they throw me out!” race ahead of Prost, and the two even managed to settle GP SAN MARINO Senna Patrese (3) Brabham, debuted (and in San Marino Gary’s brother In Italy, where it became abundantly clear that their disagreements from the previous year later at the GP MONACO Senna Senna David did the same in a Brabham Judd). The pinnacle nobody could threaten Senna and Prost in the fight for press conference. Not for long… GP CANADA Senna Senna of motorsports slowly started to become number one the title, the race was red-flagged when Derek Warwick For the third time in a row the Japanese Grand Prix GP MEXICO Berger Prost (13) GP FRANCE Mansell Prost (4) in the next category: out of all the sports in this world, had a huge, first-lap crash at the Parabolica. Derek was the decider of the championship outcome. This GP GREAT BRITAIN Mansell Prost (5) at least by some information, the highest number of Warwick: “I was conscious all the time. As soon as the time it was Prost who needed the win. Ron Dennis GP GERMANY Senna Senna relatives could be found in Formula One! car started to slide upside down, I started to organise announced: “If it comes to it, Ayrton will remember GP HUNGARY Boutsen Boutsen Meanwhile James Hunt was critical of Nelson mentally because I was afraid of fire. When the car what happened last year…” And he did! Soon after GP BELGIUM Senna Senna GP ITALY Senna Senna GP PORTUGAL Mansell Mansell GP SPAIN Senna Prost (2) »I was excited during my fights with Senna at the GP JAPAN* Senna Piquet (6) GP AUSTRALIA Senna Piquet (7) US Grand Prix, but I was sure that I wouldn’t win. I’m a realist.« JEAN ALESI Most wins Most pole positions 6 Senna 10 Senna 5 Prost 3 Mansell the start the rivals crashed again. Senna deliberately 2 Piquet 2 Berger thumped his McLaren into the back of Prost’s Ferrari, 1 Mansell 1 Boutsen and he did this because the organisers broke a promise Boutsen to change the starting grid, for the pole sitter sat on Patrese the inside (dirtier) instead of the outside line. Senna 6 McLaren 12 McLaren because champion for the second time. Prost was Ferrari 3 Ferrari outraged and stated: “It’s not only unsporting, it’s 2 Benetton 1 Williams disgusting.” Ayrton Senna: “He tried to destroy me in Williams the past on different occasions and he hasn’t managed it – and he won’t manage it because I know who I am and where I want to go. He can do what he likes, I don’t really care.” Ron Dennis: “World Championships are won over a batch of races, not just one. But perhaps, after what happened here last year, there’s a bit of rough justice.” Nelson Piquet’s wins at the Japanese and Australian Grand Prix gave him third place in the championship. Benetton also finished third. 1991 AYRTON SENNA (McLaren Honda) Alain Prost was no longer a title contender. The he had the benefit of the excellent Jordan car, but Frenchman was having a disastrous season. Alain Prost: Schumacher’s immediate and confident pace signifies “Internal crisis is a normal thing at Ferrari. When the arrival of a major new talent.” Another later to the team wins, it’s a crisis of optimism. When that be champion debuted alongside Schumacher in this happens, everything stops. That’s what happened in season. The Finn Mika Häkkinen actually drove the the off-season.” Harvey Postlethwaite (former Ferrari whole season for Team Lotus. Häkkinen scored his first STANDINGS designer): “There are now 300 people working in points at the third race already! 96 Ayrton Senna (mclaren honda) the Formula 1 team. When things go wrong, they go In the meantime Mansell wasn’t comfortable 72 Nigel Mansell (williams renault) 53 Riccardo Patrese (williams renault) wrong in a big way, with everyone blaming each other. I driving the new Williams designed by Adrian Newey. 43 Gerhard Berger (mclaren honda) know, I’ve been there…” Frank Williams: “Nigel is an immensely tough bastard 34 Alain Prost (ferrari) 26,5 Nelson Piquet (benetton ford) Nigel Mansell replaced Prost as Senna’s biggest and, if things go wrong in the car, he’ll give me (or 21 Jean Alesi (ferrari) challenger. Mansell was back at Williams. James Hunt: usually Patrick Head) a hard time. He’s not slow in 10 Stefano Modena (tyrrell honda) 9 Andrea de Cesaris (jordan ford) “Previously, when Mansell left Williams to go to coming forward. That’s the unpleasant side of him. 8 Roberto Moreno (benetton ford, jordan ford, minardi ferrari) 6 Pierluigi Martini (minardi ferrari) Ferrari, he was pretty much unloved by everybody. But It’s actually a good side, too, because I bet Senna gives 4 J. J. Lehto (dallara judd) Williams have said ‘To hell’ with the problems you get Ron Dennis a hard time. And Alain Prost. All these Bertrand Gachot (jordan ford, lola ford) Michael Schumacher (jordan ford, benetton ford) when you have a superstar behaving like a superstar – at guys – the best – are not there because they’re Mr. 2 Satoru Nakajima (tyrrell honda) least we’ll be racing again. They know only too well the Nice. They’re bastards. Mean. When the lights go Mika Häkkinen (lotus judd) Martin Brundle (brabham yamaha) penalties of working with mediocre drivers. They’ve to poor old Eddie was: “Welcome to the piranha green, Nigel goes red…” Mansell had a tough time 1 Emanuele Pirro (dallara judd) Mark Blundell (brabham yamaha) had two years of soldiering along in the middle order, world!” Schumacher was the talk of the day in Belgium adapting at Williams, so Riccardo Patrese was at first Ivan Capelli (leyton house ilmor) despite having very competitive cars.” but his manager explained that being there did have regularly beating the Englishman in qualifying. Nigel Eric Bernard (lola ford) Aguri Suzuki (lola ford) The season had some new rules. No longer would some unexpected nuisances. Willi Webber: “There failed to finish the first three races – twice because of Julian Bailey (lotus judd) the winner get 9 points but 10, and all results from was no hotel booking for us, so we went to a youth gearbox failure. He was later a bit unlucky as well. At 0,5 Gianni Morbidelli (minardi ferrari, ferrari) races counted for the championship. Team Jordan hostel. There were two small beds, and in the middle the Canadian Grand Prix he led the whole race when TEAMS 139 McLaren Honda was new in the paddock – it climbed up from lower the toilet and the basin. But I think we would have his engine shut down while shifting into lower gear. In 125 Williams Renault motor racing categories. The owner Eddie Jordan slept under the truck, you know. It was such a superb Belgium electrics failed. And in Portugal a mechanic 55,5 Ferrari 38,5 Benetton Ford managed to stay in F1 for 15 years before selling the feeling for me. Michael maybe didn’t realise it so much, hadn’t screwed on the tyre yet when Mansell was 13 Jordan Ford team. Eddie was the first to hire the services of an but I knew what it meant to come to Formula 1.” signalled he could go, and the wheel went off. Prior to 12 Tyrrell Honda 6 Minardi Ferrari upcoming superstar named Michael Schumacher. Schumacher was immediately praised by several former the Canadian Grand Prix he had the same amount of 5 Dallara Judd 3 Brabham Yamaha This was at the Belgian Grand Prix but Eddie lost the drivers, among them the 1976 champion. James Hunt: points as Patrese (only 6!), after the Mexican Grand Lotus Judd German driver soon, for at the next race Schumacher “Michael Schumacher’s future would seem to be very Prix he was still behind his teammate (13 to 20!), 2 Lola Ford 1 Leyton House Ilmor raced for Benetton. All that Ron Dennis could say bright indeed after a most impressive debut. Granted, and the closest he got to Senna was after his victory in Germany when he was trailing the Brazilian by 8 side by side chicken-run down the straight. Sparks Prior to the Japanese Grand Prix Mansell still Race Pole Winner points (43 to 51!). Around that time he was given were flying under their racing cars. Maurice Hamilton had theoretical chances of winning the title, but GP USA Senna Senna praise by James Hunt, especially because of his passing (Autocourse) wrote down: “There they sat at over the Englishman was 16 points down on Senna. The GP BRAZIL Senna Senna manoeuvres on Prost. James Hunt: “They were quite 180mph for what seemed like an eternity, the two cars Williams driver had to hope the Brazilian wouldn’t GP SAN MARINO Senna Senna superb, great opportunistic stuff, and he really has dancing dangerously close more than once. It was as finish second if he himself was to win. The popularity GP MONACO Senna Senna established himself as a master overtaker. Senna may daring a move as you could wish to see, but you had to of Formula 1 in Japan created a tremendous demand GP CANADA Patrese Piquet (8) dispose of backmarkers better because he’s prepared to doubt the wisdom of it.” James Hunt: “It was thrilling for the 100,000 seats at Suzuka, which was settled in a GP MEXICO Patrese Patrese GP FRANCE Patrese Mansell (4) take more risks but, in a straight racing mode, Mansell to watch but there was an element of unnecessary national lottery, entered by 4,400,000 hopeful fans. In GP GREAT BRITAIN Mansell Mansell is at least his equal.” The fans could give their own macho posturing. It might have ended in disaster the meantime, the FISA presidential election ushered GP GERMANY Mansell Mansell opinion about this by watching the Spanish Grand but this was a symptom of two charged-up World in a new era, as long-time president Jean-Marie Balestre GP HUNGARY Senna Senna Prix. Mansell and Senna gave the public a memorable Championship protagonists unwilling to yield.” was defeated. The Frenchman lost the election to the GP BELGIUM Senna Senna GP ITALY Senna Mansell (2) GP PORTUGAL Patrese Patrese GP SPAIN Berger Mansell (2) »Pri Ferrariju so bile krize v moštvu od nekdaj nekaj povsem GP JAPAN* Berger Berger GP AUSTRALIA Senna Senna običajnega. Ko ekipa zmaguje, gre za krizo prevelikega optimizma.« ALAIN PROST Most wins Most pole positions 7 Senna 8 Senna 5 Mansell 4 Patrese former FOCA lawyer and March founder Max Mosley. 2 Patrese 2 Mansell Jean-Marie Balestre: “Some people say I am a dictator. 1 Berger Berger But that’s not true because, although the sporting party Piquet is very strong, we’re very democratic. We’re an elected governing body of 32 people, each one from a different 8 McLaren 10 McLaren 7 Williams 6 Williams country… My main hobby isn’t Formula 1, it’s my lawn. 1 Benetton I have the most beautiful lawn in the south of France, perhaps in the country. And the best lawnmower in the world.” Back to Suzuka! Mansell closely followed Senna but made a mistake at the first corner and flew off track. For the third time in his career Senna won the Formula 1 World Championship. For the season finale only the Australian Grand Prix remained. And it was to become the shortest race in history, for only 14 laps were completed due to heavy rain. This was the last race in Formula 1 for the other Brazilian champion Nelson Piquet. 1992 NIGEL MANSELL (Williams Renault) Through the winter, the talk was as much about who interesting and sophisticated, and to a degree technology would not be racing in 1992, as who would be. Nelson is taking over. People have to learn to live with these Piquet declined to admit that he was retiring, but no advances. You can’t turn back the wheels of time.” At descent seats were open to him, and he drifted off to the mid-season, a Safety Car regulation was introduced in Indianapolis 500 – where, in May, he would shatter his an attempt to spice up the action. legs in a dreadful crash. The accident looked awful, for The end of Mansell’s winning streak came at the front-end of the car was totally crushed. Dumped by Monaco. He led comfortably until pitting with a loose Ferrari, Alain Prost was linked with Ligier and a French wheel. Afterwards Senna fended off his persistent ‘superteam’. He even tested the new JS37, but engine advances and won the famous race for the fifth time. STANDINGS supplier Renault seemed wary of supporting the deal. In Canada Mansell crashed out at the end of the first 108 Nigel Mansell (williams renault) 56 Riccardo Patrese (williams renault) Eventually negotiations col apsed, and Prost resigned lap, claiming that Senna had forced him off road. 53 Michael Schumacher (benetton ford) himself to a sabbatical season as a TV pundit. Despite these two failures the Englishman won so 50 Ayrton Senna (mclaren honda) 49 Gerhard Berger (mclaren honda) The first woman to make it to Formula 1 since many times that as the British Grand Prix approached, 38 Martin Brundle (benetton ford) 18 Jean Alesi (ferrari) Lella Lombardi in 1975-76, Giovanna Amati started ‘Mansellmania’ among the British fans reached new 11 Mika Häkkinen (lotus ford) the season with the ailing Brabham team. The heights. When he crossed the finish line at Silverstone 8 Andrea de Cesaris (tyrrell ilmor) 6 Michele Alboreto (footwork mugen-honda) 29-year-old Italian appeared three times but failed to as first, the fans went mad and invaded the track. Nigel 4 Erik Comas (ligier renault) qualify. Giovanna Amati: “It’s difficult to keep your Mansell: “I actually ran one person over, but I was going 3 Karl Wendlinger (march ilmor) Ivan Capelli (ferrari) concentration with all the media attention. Sometimes Giovanna was soon replaced by Williams test driver a few miles an hour and he loved it.” La Gazzetta Dello 2 Thierry Boutsen (ligier renault) Johnny Herbert (lotus ford) I’m not nice about it. In South Africa, there were Damon Hill (the Englishman had his debut in Spain). Sport wrote: “No longer can the British condemn the Pierluigi Martini (dallara ferrari) photographers who insulted me because I didn’t smile Hill would only make it into the field twice, before performances of the tifosi at Monza.” James Hunt: “Such 1 Stefano Modena (jordan yamaha) Christian Fittipaldi (minardi lamborghini) at them. Come on, I’m not here to smile. They expected the team finally ran out of money. With a record of 35 aggressive hysteria is unique to Britain. In Italy, where Bertrand Gachot (venturi lamborghini) me to be a glamour girl, always available and smiling. Grand Prix wins from 399 starts, the Brabham name was a similar degree of passion prevails, it’s leavened with a TEAMS I’m a racing driver like others, but maybe with more gone… sense of humour and fun that makes it more acceptable.” 164 Williams Renault 99 McLaren Honda problems. This is a male environment and they want to Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese dominated Mansell won the championship in Hungary. He finished 91 Benetton Ford keep it that way: the drivers, the journalists, everyone.” the season. The pair had four 1-2 finishes at the first the race in second place behind Senna. Nigel Mansell: 21 Ferrari 13 Lotus Ford Giovanna had a romance with former World Champion five races! But Patrese was no longer Mansell’s equal. “Ayrton had won the race, and as I stood on the podium 8 Tyrrell Ilmor Niki Lauda. “When I was seeing Lauda, he gave me an The accepted explanation was that he did not feel as and tried to take in the enormity of it al , he was in a 6 Footwork Mugen-Honda Ligier Renault engagement ring and said: ‘Right, now you can quit comfortable with the ‘active’ suspension. Some thought most benevolent mood. He put his arm around me, 3 March Ilmor 2 Dallara Ferrari racing.’ I agreed to spend a year away to see how we the Williams FW148 heralded the end of Formula 1 hugged me, and said: ‘Well done, Nigel. It’s such a good 1 Jordan Yamaha got on. It was terrible. I realised that a man can’t give as we knew it, and soon there was talk of reining in the feeling, isn’t it? Now you know why I’m such a bastard. Minardi Lamborghini Venturi Lamborghini the same emotional high as a racing car,” she added. technology. Niki Lauda: “It’s becoming more and more I don’t ever want to lose the feeling or let anybody else experience it. That's the kind of man I am, you know?’” teammate. Subsequently, in the light of the excellent based on money; Williams, having previously agreed Race Pole Winner In Belgium Michael Schumacher scored his maiden performances of their cars, and Mansell, Williams tried to Mansell’s figure, had asked him to take a reduced GP SOUTH AFRICA Mansell Mansell victory. He was praised by the English journalists who to persuade Prost to forego his ‘exclusion clauses’. So salary for 1993 after Senna had volunteered to drive for GP MEXICO Mansell Mansell wrote that the German outperformed Martin Brundle far they have only succeeded in the case of Mansell, nothing… Mansell decided to race in the IndyCar series GP BRAZIL Mansell Mansell – this despite the fact that out of all the races the pair only because Prost thinks he can beat him.” On Sunday for the team of the well known actor Paul Newmann. GP SPAIN Mansell Mansell finished together, Brundle only once found himself morning of the Italian Grand Prix, Mansell was to The Englishman won the American championship GP SAN MARINO Mansell Mansell behind Schumacher! make a statement to the media. Just before he started to in his first year! For racing on ovals Nigel was helped GP MONACO Mansell Senna (3) GP CANADA Senna Berger (4) In the meantime Alain Prost secured himself a speak, a Williams employee tried to intervene, telling with some advice from Andretti and Fittipaldi. Nigel GP FRANCE Mansell Mansell seat at Williams for the 1993 season. James Hunt: him that his demands had been met, but it was too late. Mansell: “That’s very refreshing. It shows you the GP GREAT BRITAIN Mansell Mansell “Prost’s agreement with the team, signed some time Mansell began reading his prepared statement that he difference between Formula 1 and IndyCars. I can GP GERMANY Mansell Mansell ago, precluded either Mansell or Senna from being his was to leave Formula 1. He said his decision was partly honestly say that, in my whole Formula 1 career, in 12 GP HUNGARY* Patrese Senna (3) GP BELGIUM Mansell Schumacher (3) GP ITALY Mansell Senna (2) GP PORTUGAL Mansell Mansell »In South Africa, there were photographers who insulted me GP JAPAN Mansell Patrese (2) GP AUSTRALIA Mansell Berger (4) because I didn’t smile at them. Come on, I’m not here to smile.« GIOVANNA AMATI Most wins Most pole positions 9 Mansell 14 Mansell 3 Senna 1 Patrese years, other than the late great Gilles Villeneuve and 2 Berger Senna Colin Chapman, I’ve had no assistance at al .” 1 Patrese Honda announced it was to leave Formula 1 at the Schumacher end of the year. Also, three driver changes were already known: Berger signed for Ferrari, Michael Andretti 10 Williams 15 Williams 5 McLaren 1 McLaren (the son of a motor racing legend Mario) was coming to 1 Benetton McLaren, and at Williams the test driver Damon Hill was given the chance to race alongside Prost. As for 1992, only three races were left, the first one in Portugal. Mansell was true to his word before taking to the track at Estoril. Nigel Mansell: “My motivation is to get away from Formula 1 as quickly as I can. If that means getting pole and winning the race as early as I can – that’s what I’ll do.” In the process he set a record of 14 pole positions in one season. This wasn’t beaten until Sebastian Vettel summed up 15 in 2011 – but it has to written it was done in a season with 19 races while Mansell raced in a year with only 16 Grand Prix events. 1993 ALAIN PROST (Williams Renault) Williams was unable to enjoy the winter of Schuamcher’s clumsy attempt to usher him off the road 1992/1993 due to its own administrative error. The in the opening seconds, Senna was instantly back at the team submitted its 1993 entry one day late, which Benetton driver, taking him through the first corner, meant that, technically, Prost and Hill could not then passing Wendlinger through the Craner Curves compete unless all other teams agreed. Inevitably, in a move to make you gasp. By the end of the opening the situation was used to gain concession from Frank lap, he had also dealt with both Williams drivers, and Williams, who had steadfastly refused to support was in the lead. People use the word ‘awesome’ with any effort to ban the ‘driver aids’ that his team had fatuous ease these days, but that’s what it was.” James STANDINGS perfected. After much arguing in the first part of Hunt: “One wonders (Senna finished the race a whole 99 Alain Prost (williams renault) the season, the teams, under the direction of Bernie lap in front of Prost and Hill!), how Prost was ever 73 Ayrton Senna (mclaren ford) 69 Damon Hill (williams renault) Ecclestone, held a meeting prior to the Hungarian regarded as the master tactician. Senna saved the final, 52 Michael Schumacher (benetton ford) Grand Prix and unanimously agreed to accept a ban crushing humiliation for the post-race conference. 20 Riccardo Patrese (benetton ford) 16 Jean Alesi (ferrari) on ‘active’ suspension and traction control in 1994, There, a rather sheepish Prosst cited a variety of 13 Martin Brundle (ligier renault) 12 Gerhard Berger (ferrari) providing FISA allowed their continued use for the technical trivia (incorrect tyre pressure, faulty gearbox, 11 Johnny Herbert (lotus ford) rest of 1993. Bernie Ecclestone: “I’m very proud of all difficult clutch) by way of excuse. Senna, with incisive 10 Mark Blundell (ligier renault) 7 Michael Andretti (mclaren ford) my teams – for the first time in a long while.” timing, quietly suggested that perhaps Prost would like Karl Wendlinger (sauber ilmor) The season started in the South African Republic. to swap cars…” 5 J. J. Lehto (sauber ilmor) Christian Fittipaldi (minardi ford) Two new teams had their debuts there. The first one fourth title, especially because of the superior Williams Having nearly beaten Prost in France, Damon 4 Mika Häkkinen (mclaren ford) Derek Warwick (footwork mugen-honda) was Sauber and the second Larrousse (the founder of car, but the first couple of races hadn’t gone according Hill led his home race until the engine blew. Nigel 2 Philippe Alliot (larrousse lamborghini) the latter was a former French racing driver Gerard to plan for the Frenchman. Ayrton Senna who raced Roebuck: “He pulled off, the back of the car Rubens Barrichello (jordan hart) Fabrizio Barbazza (minardi ford) Larrousse who drove two Grand Prix races for the with an older specification engine than Michael temporarily ablaze. Then he climbed out, took off 1 Alessandro Zanardi (lotus ford) Brabham team in 1974). Of the drivers the Italian Schumacher in the Benetton, snatched some valuable his helmet, and sadly walked away. There were no Eric Comas (larrousse lamborghini) Eddie Irvine (jordan hart) youngster Luca Badoer was the new face in the points from Prost at the beginning of the season. In histrionics. His old man could not have handled the TEAMS paddock, having his debut with a Lola-Ferrari. Badoer Brazil and at the European Grand Prix at Donington situation with more dignity. On the way back to the 168 Williams Renault was later a test driver at Ferrari and he stayed in that with the help of rain which always frightened Prost pits, he dropped into the BRDC (British Racing 84 McLaren Ford 72 Benetton Ford role for such a long time that soon he became much more than it did Senna, and at Monaco (after this Driver’s Club) clubhouse for a bear.” 28 Ferrari more famous than some of the drivers who regularly race Ayrton led the championship ahead of Alain by 5 On the Friday morning of the Belgium Grand 23 Ligier Renault 12 Lotus Ford competed in Formula 1. Riccardo Patrese had gone points!) because of a controversial jump-start penalty Prix, Alessandro Zanardi escaped from an enormous Sauber Ilmor 7 Minardi Ford to Benetton where at the end of the season he retired for Prost. Of Senna’s drives the press exposed the one accident at Eau Rouge. The Lotus flew out of control 4 Footwork Mugen-Honda with a record amount of Grand Prix entries (256). at Donington where the Brazilian overtook 4 drivers and smashed itself to smithereens against the barriers 3 Larrousse Lamborghini Jordan Hart Everybody expected Prost’s easy walk towards his in the opening lap. Nigel Roebuck (journalist): “After on both sides of the circuit, coming to rest with little more than the cockpit in one piece. Professor Sid difficult corners on various circuits, and this is one Michael Andretti announced that he was returning to Race Pole Winner Watkins: “We were in the Safety Car at the exit of where you can see the difference in ability between America. Häkkinen would henceforth partner Senna GP SOUTH AFRICA Prost Prost the pit-lane and saw from the TV there had been a drivers. I wouldn’t change the corner. I’d just increase (in his first race for McLaren the Finn who replaced GP BRAZIL Prost Senna (3) big shunt. It’s not that far down to Eau Rouge, but the run-off area.” Zanardi was carefully extracted from Andretti in Portugal already, managed to qualify GP EUROPE Prost Senna (4) there were tyres and bits and pieces still coming down the wreckage and whisked away to hospital in Liège for ahead of the Brazilian!). Michael Andretti’s father, GP SAN MARINO Prost Prost the hill at us when we got there. It looked like a war.” a check-up and a precautionary brain scan. He wasn’t former world champion Mario, gave the family’s side GP SPAIN Prost Prost Damon Hill: “I saw Zanardi’s accident, and it was back behind a racing wheel in 1993. of the story. Mario Andretti: “The facts are simply GP MONACO Prost Senna (3) GP CANADA Prost Prost the worst I have ever seen in Formula 1.” Andrea De After finishing a respectable third at Monza (and it these. With Senna not signed at the start of the season, GP FRANCE Hill Prost (2) Cesaris: “They’ve been trying to take out the most was the first notable result of the season), a dispirited Dennis has to cover his bases, so he signs Häikkinen. GP GREAT BRITAIN Prost Prost GP GERMANY Prost Prost GP HUNGARY Prost Hill (2) »They’ve been trying to take out the most difficult corners on GP BELGIUM Prost Hill (2) GP ITALY Prost Hill (2) GP PORTUGAL* Hill Schumacher (6) various circuits and turn them into chicanes. I wouldn’t change GP JAPAN Prost Senna (2) GP AUSTRALIA Senna Senna Eau Rouge, I’d just increase the run-off area.« ANDREA DE CESARIS Most wins Most pole positions 7 Prost 13 Prost 5 Senna 2 Hill Now Dennis has three drivers and only two cars. He’s 3 Hill 1 Senna promised seat time to Häkkinen, so who gets the 1 Schumacher testing? Mika. Michael, after every race, is begging to go testing. They don’t even look at him. They don’t 10 Williams 15 Williams even respond to his question. What the hell is he going 5 McLaren 1 McLaren 1 Benetton to do? Sit in the garage?” The luckiest man in Italy was Minardi’s Christian Fittipaldi (nephew of Emerson Fittipaldi) who survived a bizarre flip after hitting his teammate Pierluigi Martini, as they crossed the finish line. Christian Fittipaldi: “I kept my eyes open all of the time, and it seemed like I was in the air for an hour. People will say I’m crazy but, when I was upside down, I was thinking about a rollercoaster ride I once had in America. I just kept praying that the car would land on its wheels. I didn’t want to close my eyes because I was afraid I would never open them again.” Prior to the Portuguese Grand Prix Alain Prost announced he was retiring at the end of the season. 1994 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (Benetton Ford) The teams had to adjust to some significant rule at all costs and somehow they convince themselves that changes, in particular the ban on electronic, computer- they are not wrong.” controlled ‘driver aids’ that had increasingly given the The year 1994 was full of accidents even before men in the cockpits less to do. Forbidden now were the season had started. In testing prior to the Brazilian such devices as active suspension, anti-skid control, Grand Prix J. J. Lehto from Finland injured his neck ABS braking, fully automatic gearboxes and ‘fly by wire’ and had to miss the first two races (Interlagos, Aida). STANDINGS throttle systems. With fewer high tech gizmos and Jean Alesi also missed two races (Aida, Imola) due to an 92 Michael Schumacher (benetton ford) more of a premium placed on driving skill, it was hoped accident in testing. 91 Damon Hill (williams renault) 41 Gerhard Berger (ferrari) that Formula 1 would be more popular than ever, The black weekend of the San Marino Grand Prix 26 Mika Häkkinen (mclaren peugeot) though the FIA’s VP of promotional affairs disagreed. was basically forecasted with a spectacular crash by 24 Jean Alesi (ferrari) 19 Rubens Barrichello (jordan hart) Bernie Ecclestone: “That’s rubbish. People go to Rubens Barrichello in Friday’s practice. Only prompt 16 Martin Brundle (mclaren peugeot) Formula 1 because it’s a spectacle, like a big boxing intervention by Professor Sid Watkins prevented the 14 David Coulthard (williams renault) 13 Nigel Mansell (williams renault) match. People go because it’s happening. The fight may Brazilian from swallowing his own tongue. Rubens 10 Jos Verstappen (benetton ford) 9 Olivier Panis (ligier renault) be no good, but it’s a bit like sex: it’s what you think is Barrichello: “When I came round in the medical centre 8 Mark Bludnell (tyrrell yamaha) going to happen rather than happens.” after my accident, the first face I saw was Ayrton’s, with 7 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (sauber mercedes) 6 Nicola Larini (ferrari) However, the powers-that-be were convinced tears in his eyes. I had never seen that with Ayrton Christian Fittipaldi (footwork ford) that the spectacle would be improved, and overtaking before. I had the impression that he felt as if the Eddie Irvine (jordan hart) 5 Ukyo Katayama (tyrrell yamaha) opportunities enhanced, by the re-introduction of mid- push, did his thing. Ayrton is a mixture of Nigel and accident was like one of his own. He said to me, ‘Stay 4 Eric Bernard (ligier renault, lotus mugen-honda) Andrea de Cesaris (jordan hart, sauber mercedes) race pit stops for refuelling – which had been banned Alain. He’s certainly very aggressive, but he’s also very calm. It will be all right.’” The nightmare continued Karl Wendlinger (sauber mercedes) in 1984 for safety reasons. Critics felt that the re- polite. He knows exactly what he wants, and won’t stop in Monaco, where Sauber’s Karl Wendlinger suffered Pierluigi Martini (minardi ford) 3 Gianni Morbidelli (footwork ford) introduction of mid-race refuelling was an unnecessarily at getting it.” head injuries in a practice crash. In hospital, he was kept 2 Erik Comas (larrousse ford) artificial and dangerous means of spicing up the TV Flavio Briatore (Benetton): “Ayrton and Michael in a coma and on a respirator to relieve brain damage, 1 J. J. Lehto (benetton ford, sauber mercedes) Michele Alboreto (minardi ford) action. are the two top drivers, and if you go running, you from which he would eventually recover. The spate TEAMS Damon Hill: “If fuel stops make the racing more prefer to go with the younger guy. Ayrton is a mature of accidents continued when Pedro Lamy suffered 118 Williams Renault exciting, then fine. If it flambees ten mechanics, it’s a driver and Michael will take more risks. Last year he broken legs after a rear wing failure pitched his Lotus 103 Benetton Ford 71 Ferrari bad decision.” The prospect most relished by insiders made fewer mistakes than the season before, and I hope over the barriers and into an empty area at a Silverstone 42 McLaren Peugeot and onlookers alike was that of Ayrton Senna, back in this year he makes none.” Martin Brundle: “Schuey’s test. Then, in Germany, Jos Verstappen and 5 of his 28 Jordan Hart 13 Ligier Renault a competitive car, racing against the new young lion, just like Senna. He has a natural gift and the incredible mechanics suffered minor burns after his Benetton was Tyrrell Yamaha 12 Sauber Mercedes Michael Schumacher. Frank Williams: “Seeing Ayrton self-belief that goes with it. These guys are winners who engulfed in a horrific fire in the pits that graphically 9 Footwork Ford in other cars, he always appears to give 100%, like Nigel will push the limits beyond everyone else. They have the proved the dangers of mid-race refuelling. 5 Minardi Ford 2 Larrousse Ford did. Alain was a gentleman – laid back, didn’t seem to most intense, almost dangerous desire, and need to win FIA therefore accepted drastic safety measures. The first wish of Federation Internationale de l’Automobile Prix) it came down to Team Benetton to be under fire. Niki Lauda: “When you build a car on the threshold Race Pole Winner was to reduce the speeds of the racing cars. The Affair followed affair. of legality, which Benetton has apparently done all year GP BRAZIL Senna Schumacher (2) measures were successful, for in the next 20 years there Benetton was accused of using illegal traction long, and you get caught again and again, then that’s GP PACIFIC Senna Schumacher (2) were no fatalities amongst the drivers! control, a faster refuelling device, then in Belgium simply not right. Benetton always want to know how GP SAN MARINO Senna Schumacher (2) Meanwhile, racing continued. And after the first Schumacher suffered disqualification because his far they can go.” GP MONACO Schumacher Schumacher critics that flew at Michael Schumacher (example: wooden skidplate – intended to stop cars running too At Silverstone Hill was on pole, and Schumacher GP SPAIN Schumacher Hill (2) holding his fist up after he’d won the San Marino Grand close to the ground – was worn past the margin of error. was black-flagged after overtaking him on the formation GP CANADA Schumacher Schumacher GP FRANCE Hill Schumacher (3) GP GREAT BRITAIN Hill Hill GP GERMANY Berger Berger »When you build a car on the threshold of legality, which GP HUNGARY Schumacher Schumacher GP BELGIUM Barrichello Hill (3) Benetton has apparently done all year long, and you get caught GP ITALY Alesi Hill (3) GP PORTUGAL Berger Hill (2) GP EUROPE Schumacher Schumacher again and again, then that’s simply not right. Benetton GP JAPAN Schumacher Hill (2) GP AUSTRALIA* Mansell Mansell always want to know how far they can go.« NIKI LAUDA Most wins Most pole positions 8 Schumacher 6 Schumacher 6 Hill 3 Senna lap. Schumacher was told by his team that he would 1 Berger 2 Hill have to serve a time penalty in the pits, but continued Mansell Berger racing. He was later disqualified for ignoring the black 1 Alesi flag and banned from racing in Italy and Belgium. Hill Barrichello managed to trail Schumacher by a single point prior to Mansell the last race of the season. 8 Benetton 6 Williams After all the drama of the 1994 season the last race 7 Williams Benetton too went down as a thriller. Schumacher led on lap 1 Ferrari 3 Ferrari 36, only to make a mistake and crash into a wal . The 1 Jordan German managed to come back onto the track. Hill did not realise that his rival was in terminal difficulty, and tried to pass. The Benetton seemed to steer straight into the Williams, there was a col ision – and suddenly both men were out of action. Schumacher was the World Champion. Bernie Ecclestone: “The FIA is at liberty to deduct existing points. My feeling overall is that the right guy won the championship, but that doesn’t help in a case like this.” 1995 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (Benetton Renault) As much as six teams changed their engine supplier almost two hours in a Grand prix. To they know what prior to the 1995 season. The great name of Team Lotus it’s like to race wheel-to-wheel with Ayrton Senna at disappeared at the end of the 1994 season, when not a 190mph? Or have a suspension breakage going fully single point was scored with the Mugen-Honda engines, committed into a 160mph corner? Would they make and the money finally ran out. During the 1995 season the supreme sacrifices, take the enormous risks and push the British Simtek also ran out of finance. This team themselves beyond all reasonable human limits? Here would be forgotten much quicker if it hadn’t been for I was, driving for McLaren, and it wasn’t working out. Ron Dennis who said: “Racing is interesting at the front I’d tried to put my heart and soul into it, but the car and that’s how it is. Formula 1 is a sport, but it’s also a wasn’t up to it. I had a meeting with Ron Dennis and we business. The sport begins when the flag waves at either talked it through. We were both disappointed about the end of the race. The rest is all business.” These comments car, and it was agreed – amicably, at my request – that I STANDINGS drew an indignant response from Roberto Moreno, should stand down. It was one of the toughest decisions 102 Michael Schumacher (benetton renault) struggling to survive with the tiny Forti team. Roberto I ever made.” 69 Damon Hill (williams renault) 49 David Coulthard (williams renault) Moreno: “Does Ron Dennis forget he was once in a Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill, again, 45 Johnny Herbert (benetton renault) small team? Does he forget that if you don’t have smal fought it out for the championship title – the rest were 42 Jean Alesi (ferrari) 31 Gerhard Berger (ferrari) teams, then there might not be enough to hold Grand more or less in the background. This was the case at 17 Mika Häkkinen (mclaren mercedes) Prix races? Does he forget that you must have losers to the Canadian Grand Prix where Jean Alesi benefitted 16 Olivier Panis (ligier mugen-honda) 15 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (sauber ford) have winners?” on top at the end of the 1995 Formula One season. from the troubles the two in front had and won his only 13 Mark Blundell (mclaren mercedes) 11 Rubens Barrichello (jordan peugeot) After the previous traumatic season, it was a busy McLaren switched from Peugeot to Mercedes, Grand Prix race. It was to be on his birthday! Jean Alesi: 10 Eddie Irvine (jordan peugeot) time for the aerodynamicists and engine designers. and once again there was intrigue about its drivers. “When I realised I could win, I started crying. During 7 Martin Brundle (ligier mugen-honda) 5 Gianni Morbidelli (footwork hart) As part of the FIA’s safety package, down-force was Ultimately, the new recruit was none other than Nigel breaking I couldn’t see the track in front of me because Mika Salo (tyrrell yamaha) reduced, and the maximum engine swept volume Mansell. The Englishman, visibly overweight, had the tears were coming down on the inside of my visor. 3 Jean-Christophe Bouillion (sauber ford) 1 Aguri Suzuki (ligier mugen-honda) lowered from 3.5 to 3.0 litres. The racing cars were struggled to fit into the cockpit of the new McLaren. After the finish line, I was so happy I got out of the car Pedro Lamy (minardi ford) slower about 3 seconds per lap. He was replaced for the first two races by Mark Blundell to say hello to the fans. When I got back in, the engine TEAMS Prior to the beginning of the season most teams while a wider chassis was built. After he had raced in stopped.” The ecstatic Alesi took the reminder of his 147 Benetton Renault 118 Williams Renault realised the advantages of having a lifted nose of the car Imola and Barcelona Mansell finally said goodbye to victory lap riding on Schumacher’s Benetton. 73 Ferrari which was first introduced by Tyrell in 1990 and very Formula 1. Nigel Mansell: “Immediately some people Prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix Damon Hill 30 McLaren Mercedes 24 Ligier Mugen-Honda well, if not best, perfected by Benetton. Even Williams said I just gave up. I’m fascinated by the critics. These trailed Schumacher by 21 points. Hill desperately 21 Jordan Peugeot 18 Sauber Ford decided to lift its nose of the car. Benetton and Williams people give the public the benefit of their enormous needed a win, if he was to secure himself the Williams 5 Footwork Hart had the same engine supplier (Renault) now, so it was wisdom, but they have never actually driver a Formula seat for the 1996 season. The Gods of fortune were Tyrrell Yamaha 1 Minardi Ford clear that details would determent which team would be 1 car, and have no idea what’s it like to drive flat-out for on his side at the right moment. Schumacher made a mistake in his last qualifying attempt to win pole defending his position. But the FIA gave him a warning. into the last race of the season, but the competition Race Pole Winner position. Coming out of the last corner the German After the Italian Grand Prix in Monza Damon Hill got in Adelaide wasn't dul . During Friday's practice Mika GP BRAZIL Hill Schumacher (2) lost the back end of the car and made a ‘360’ – but still one as well. The Brit misjudged the distance between Häkkinen crashed heavily into the wal . He suffered GP ARGENTINA Coulthard Hill (2) managed to finish the lap only 2 seconds behind Hill! him and Schumacher and put them both out of the serious head trauma. Sid Watkins recalled: “I was at the GP SAN MARINO Schumacher Hill (4) The German failed to finish the race while Hill showed race at the second chicane. It was the third col ision scene of the accident in less than two minutes. Mika GP SPAIN Schumacher Schumacher an excellent performance, won a persuaded Frank between the rivals in less than a year or better yet a third was unconscious and he was obviously having major GP MONACO Hill Schumacher (2) Williams to sign him for 1996. in only 13 races! Prior to Monza they got tangled up in problems with breathing. The next day I told him I GP CANADA Schumacher Alesi (5) GP FRANCE Hill Schumacher (2) The Belgian Grand Prix followed and it was raining Silverstone. had good news for him. I said Ron (Dennis) gave the GP GREAT BRITAIN Hill Herbert (5) throughout the whole weekend. Schumacher used Schumacher became champion at the Pacific Grand rest of the weekend off, so he didn't have to worry if he GP GERMANY Hill Schumacher (2) the rain to his advantage and won ahead of Hill. They Prix, and in Suzuka the fight for the World Cup for was to race or not. I knew he was going to be all right GP HUNGARY Hill Hill touched wheels. Michael Schumacher said he was only Constructors ended as well. It was all decided going because he recognized my joke.” Häkkinen's accident GP BELGIUM Berger Schumacher (16) GP ITALY Coulthard Herbert (8) GP PORTUGAL Coulthard Coulthard GP EUROPE Coulthard Schumacher (3) »Does Ron Dennis forget, he was once in a small team? GP PACIFIC* Coulthard Schumacher (3) GP JAPAN Schumacher Schumacher Does he forget that you must have losers to have winners?« GP AUSTRALIA Hill Hill ROBERTO MORENO Most wins Most pole positions 9 Schumacher 7 Hill was a result of a puncture. Schumcher and Hill were so 4 Hill 5 Coulthard worried, they decided to inspect the track themselves. 2 Herbert 4 Schumacher They went to the scene of Häkkinen's accident and and 1 Coulthard 1 Berger looked for cracks on the surface of the track. On race Alesi day Hill, who was determent to end the season on a 11 Benetton 12 Williams high, showed a great performance. After retirements of 5 Williams 4 Benetton Michael Schumache, Jean Alesi (the two col ided with 1 Ferrari 1 Ferrari each other) and David Coulthard (the Scot managed to crash his Williams entering the pit lane!) the Brit even managed to win in stile. He beat Olivier Panis and Gianni Morbidelli by two laps. During the victory lap he was giving the fans something to chear about, for he was 'dancing' with the back of his Williams all over the Adelaide track. Michael Shumacher: “Given the fact Damon Hill started to race relatively late in life I have to say that his racing performances have come as a surprise to a lot of people. Despite the lack of experiences he did a hell of a job this year. ” 1996 DAMON HILL (Williams Renault) FIA decided to change the qualifying format. the human side of racing. It may seem strange to feel Drivers would no longer have 2 days of qualifying. isolated from humanity when you’re surrounded by so Only a one hour session on Saturday counted for grid much of it, but that’s often the way it is.” positions. There were 12 laps available to set a good On a wet track at Monaco the pole sitter Michael time, usually that meant 4 tries. Schumacher made a mistake in the first lap and crashed Jacques Villeneuve, son of the Ferrari legend Gilles out of the race. Hill, who counted on a win in Monte Villeneuve, was entering Formula 1 in this year and Carlo, for he brought his tuxedo with him, built up an what an entry it was. The Canadian won the American apparently unassailable lean, only to be halted by a rare IndyCar series in 1995 and he even managed to win Renault engine failure. Out of nowhere came a surprise the famous Indy 500 race in that year. Villeneuve had winner in the form of Ligier’s Oliver Panis who won done 3500 kilometres in winter testing, making him his only Grand Prix race. Oliver Panis: “Someone gave the best prepared F1 rookie in history. He impressed me a big flag of France in the victory lap. I realised I the world of motor racing in his first Grand Prix could have been penalised by the FIA but I didn’t care STANDINGS already (the Australian race was moved from Adelaide about that. The flag was so big I had difficulty holding 97 Damon Hill (williams renault) to Melbourne). On Saturday, when he celebrated his it while driving back to the pits. But I was happy!” He 78 Jacques Villeneuve (williams renault) 59 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) 25th birthday, he took pole position, and on Sunday was less happy when he learned he had to be dressed 47 Jean Alesi (benetton renault) he led the race in front of Hill for a long time but nicely for the gala dinner with the royal family. Hill 31 Mika Häkkinen (mclaren mercedes) 21 Gerhard Berger (benetton renault) had to slow down due to an oil leak. Many doubted neck muscles are exposed to almost extreme G-forces. came to the rescue and gave him his tuxedo. 18 David Coulthard (mclaren mercedes) 14 Rubens Barrichello (jordan peugeot) if Villeneuve’s car was truly in trouble but one look The European Grand Prix was next. Hill had Hill was motivated in Germany after his failure 13 Olivier Panis (ligier mugen-honda) on Hill’s car said everything – it was full of oil stains. troubles with his clutch at the start, lost a lot of places, at his home Grand Prix. In the dying moments of 11 Eddie Irvine (ferrari) 8 Martin Brundle (jordan peugeot) Everybody was impressed with Villeneuve – even Hill and finished the race in fourth place. What might qualifying he set the quickest time and he was so 7 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (sauber ford) gave him a friendly hug right after the race. be interesting is that he was still using a classic foot happy with this result he put his arm with a squeezed 5 Mika Salo (tyrell yamaha) 4 Johnny Herbert (sauber ford) The Brazilian Grand Prix followed, and at first, pedal clutch while Schumacher had his in a form of a fist out of the cockpit. But Berger was right behind 2 Pedro Diniz (ligier mugen-honda) 1 Jos Verstappen (footwork hart) the conditions were rainy. Hill managed to beat button on his steering wheel. Villeneuve managed to him and the Austrian almost spoiled the fun for the Schumacher by a full lap. Hill was first again at the fend off all attacks from Schumacher and won his first Englishman. The two later gave the German spectators TEAMS 175 Williams Renault next race, the Argentine Grand Prix, where drivers race. Jacques Villeuneuve: “Even when you win, you’re a memorable fight on race day. Hill was desperately 70 Ferrari complained about the track surface. Hill’s good start to strongest desire is to leave the circuit and go home. trying to pass Berger in the last laps of the race but 68 Benetton Renault 49 McLaren Mercedes the season was a result of his special simulator in which You’ve done your job, the climax is over. But you have the Benetton driver always find a way to defend his 22 Jordan Peugeot 15 Ligier Mugen-Honda he trained for hours and hours. Weights were attached to go up on the podium and then the press conferences. position. If Hill tried on the right side then that’s 11 Sauber Ford to his helmet in this device, and this allowed him to To this point, you haven’t seen anybody from the team, where you’d find Berger. It was the same on the left 5 Tyrrell Yamaha 1 Footwork Hart simulate driving through high speed corners where the and you’re left feeling that something is missing from side of the track. For a while it seemed the two cars simultaneously went from left to right, and many – fortunately without consequences. The Ferrari fans was just 9 thousands of a second behind! Jacques Race Pole Winner thought that Hill would never have won that race went mad! Michael Schumacher: “Seeing all those Villeneuve: “That’s nothing. It would be better if GP AUSTRALIA Villeneuve Hill (2) had the Renault engine in Berger’s car not failed. The Scuderia flags in front of me gave me goose bumps all someone just flipped a coin for pole position.” The GP BRAZIL Hill Hill Austrian defended his position marvellously, and the over my body.” Canadian was optimistic, and he showed his optimism GP ARGENTINA Hill Hill white smoke coming from the back of his car when his Prior to the Portuguese Grand Prix Damon Hill on race day when he won and managed to give the F1 GP EUROPE Hill Villeneuve (2) engine exploded was seen miles away. still had a significant advantage in the points standings. fans an overtaking manoeuvre of the season. He passed GP SAN MARINO Schumacher Hill (2) The organisers of the Italian Grand Prix were fed His only rival left was his teammate Jacques Villeneuve. the two time champion Michael Schumacher on the GP MONACO Schumacher Panis (14) GP SPAIN Hill Schumacher (3) up with drivers cutting the chicane, so they decided Damon had to stay in front of the Canadian on race outside of the difficult last corner. Jacques Villeneuve: GP CANADA Hill Hill to put tyres at each side of the track. On race day day and he would win the title. He managed to get “Before the race, the guys in the team said that, if I GP FRANCE Schumacher Hill (2) drivers were hitting those tyres one by one, and even a slight advantage on Saturday when he clinched his tried passing anybody at the last corner, they would GP GREAT BRITAIN Hill Villeneuve (2) Schumacher who won the race managed to graze them eighth pole position of the season. But Villeneuve have to scrape me off the wal . But it worked.” GP GERMANY Hill Hill GP HUNGARY Schumacher Villeneuve (3) GP BELGIUM Villeneuve Schumacher (3) GP ITALY Hill Schumacher (3) .»Even when you win, you’re strongest desire is to leave the GP PORTUGAL Hill Villeneuve (2) GP JAPAN* Villeneuve Hill (2) circuit and go home. You’ve done your job, the climax is over.« JACQUES VILLENEUVE Most wins Most pole positions 8 Hill 9 Hill 4 Villeneuve 4 Schumacher In Japan Hill qualified second, but this time it was 3 Schumacher 3 Villeneuve he who didn’t worry about Villeneuve being ahead. 1 Panis “I’m expecting tomorrow’s start with great optimism,” said Hill on Saturday. Indeed, on Sunday he did have 12 Williams 12 Williams the better start of the two, and to make things even 3 Ferrari 4 Ferrari 1 Ligier easier, Villeneuve retired soon after his pit-stop where his mechanics poorly screwed on one of his tyres that later fell off. Still, after the race Jacques showed up at a post-race party where he, Salo and Coulthard turned up with their heads shaved. It turned out the Canadian convinced the two to celebrate the end of the season this way. Jacques Villeneuve: “Before I came here, I heard about all the back-stabbing and how everybody in Formula 1 hated each other’s guts. But it’s not true. There are a few guys that you can party with. It’s important that you can do that once in a while, that you can be competitors on the race track, and then share a laugh.” 1997 JACQUES VILLENEUVE (Williams Renault) “Has he lost his mind?” was the main question too much or maybe he was just unlucky. After the prior to the 1997 season. The reigning world Spanish Grand Prix where he was second and with champion Damon Hill signed a contract with Arrows, this result third in the overall standings right behind a team which finished the 1996 season in 9th place Villeneuve and Schumacher, the Canadian Grand Prix (as Team Footwork). It was believed Williams hadn’t followed where he lost control of his car, crashed into signed Hill because the Englishman demanded too wall and broke his legs. This was a big blow for both much money while McLaren were offering him 3 Panis and the team which later wasn’t able to show million dol ars plus a million for every win, but Hill such competitiveness as it did with him. Villeneuve refused the offer. The then 36-year-old barely qualified spun out early in this race, perhaps distracted by for the season opener in Australia, and he was noticed an enforced detour to Paris a few days before. He only at the Hungarian Grand Prix. But there he was summoned there by the FIA because he used a STANDINGS managed to show the motor racing world a textbook common slang expression for excrement to describe 81 Jacques Villeneuve (williams renault) 42 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (williams renault) drive! He surprised everybody on Saturday already his distaste for the new rules that would come into 36 David Coulthard (mclaren mercedes) Jean Alesi (benetton renault) when he qualified third. On race day on Sunday he effect in 1998. Schumacher won, and the German 27 Gerhard Berger (benetton renault) overtook Schumacher in the opening laps, and then was first in France as well. Eddie Irvine: “They might Mika Häkkinen (mclaren mercedes) 24 Eddie Irvine (ferrari) with 2 laps to go he led the race with more than half a as well give Michael the crown now. The season is 20 Giancarlo Fisichella (jordan peugeot) minute ahead of Villeneuve. It seemed it was going to only half over but Jacques has no chance. The truth 16 Olivier Panis (prost mugen-honda) 15 Johnny Herbert (sauber petronas) be a first win for Arrows in 299 races, first for Yamaha Stewart Grand Prix team – landing the works Ford is, Jacques is not good enough to beat Michael in a 13 Ralf Schumacher (jordan peugeot) 7 Damon Hill (arrows yamaha) as an engine supplier, and first for the Japanese tyre engine deal. Both planned to use the new Bridgestone straight fight – no one is.” Jacques Villeneuve: “In 6 Rubens Barrichello (stewart ford) manufacturer Bridgestone. “But every time you start tyres, which heralded the start of a tyre war with Formula 1, there’s a game within a game which goes 4 Alexander Wurz (benetton renault) 3 Jarno Trulli (minardi hart, prost mugen-honda) thinking about winning, something happens,” said Goodyear. on – a game of words – and it’s dangerous. There are 2 Pedro Diniz (arrows yamaha) Hill after the race in which he had problems with Prost’s team had an excellent start to the season, psychological battles and Irvine is better at them then Mika Salo (tyrrell ford) Shinji Nakano (prost mugen-honda) hydraulics. He had to slow down, and eventually he its driver Olivier Panis was starting to threat the driving. I’m not there to beat a guy off the track. I’m 1 Nicola Larini (sauber petronas) finished the race in second place. But he didn’t give frontrunners. Panis was fifth in Australia, third in there to beat him on it.” TEAMS up his lead that easily. Villeneuve even had to put Brazil, and in Argentina he was a contender for the At the German Grand Prix Gerhard Berger 123 Williams Renault 102 Ferrari his car halfway on grass while overtaking his former win when his engine failed. The Frenchman was racing managed to do what he failed the year before. The 67 Benetton Renault teammate! like reborn, and in 2004 he admitted to me: “When 37-year-old Austrian missed three races with a sinus 63 McLaren Mercedes 33 Jordan Peugeot The former champions became entrants in 1997. a driver has a car in which he is able to win, he races aliment. Then he lost his father in a plane crash three 21 Prost Mugen-Honda 16 Sauber Petronas Alain Prost acquired control of the Ligier team and faster, better. He’s willing to take more risks, pushes weeks prior to this race. On Saturday he put his 9 Arrows Yamaha renamed it for himself, while Jackie Stewart and his the gas pedal a little bit more, and this is immediately Benetton on pole position ahead of a surprisingly fast 6 Stewart Ford 2 Tyrrell Ford son, Paul, graduated from Formula 3000 with their shown on lap times.” Maybe he pushed a little bit Giancarlo Fisichella who was just two hundreds of a second slower. Gerhard Berger: “For sure I had big hand in the championship standings (before that he Frentzen set the exact same time of 1:21.072. This Race Pole Winner emotions today and the last lap is one I will always only led on three occasions). But he was overtaking wasn’t new in Formula 1, it happened 13 times before GP AUSTRALIA Villeneuve Coulthard (4) remember. Although I am not at peak fitness I felt under yellow flags at the Japanese Grand Prix which (at the 1961 British Grand Prix even four drivers GP BRAZIL Villeneuve Villeneuve strong throughout the race. I really felt I was getting happened for the second time in a season, so he shared the same time), but it has to be underlined GP ARGENTINA Villeneuve Villeneuve some special power out there and I think I know wasn’t allowed to race. Team Williams appealed, and that in all of those cases only tenths of a second were GP SAN MARINO Villeneuve Frentzen (2) where it was coming from.” he was allowed to start. He finished fifth. Jacques measured and not thousands. Schumacher launched GP MONACO Frentzen Schumacher (2) At the Luxemburg Grand Prix held at the Villeneuve: “I would have driven differently if I didn’t himself into the lead at the start of the race but GP SPAIN Villeneuve Villeneuve GP CANADA Schumacher Schumacher German track Nürburgring team McLaren got their have the disqualification in my mind.” Villeneuve later Villeneuve caught him after his pit-stop and tried GP FRANCE Schumacher Schumacher first pole position since 1993, but later Villeneuve lost those 2 points for fifth place because his team to overtake the German on the inside of the longest GP GREAT BRITAIN Villeneuve Villeneuve won the race. Both drivers of Ron Dennis’s team withdrew their appeal. He was trailing Schumacher by straight. Jacques was already by a full nose of the car GP GERMANY Berger Berger had engine failures, and Schumacher was out – how a point going into the season finale at Jerez. in front when Schumacher rammed into the Williams GP HUNGARY Schumacher Villeneuve (2) ironic – because of a col ision with his brother Ralf One of the biggest dramas unfolded. It started driver. Michael was out immediately but Villeneuve GP BELGIUM Villeneuve Schumacher (3) right after the start. Villeneuve now had the upper in qualifying where Villeneuve, Schumacher and continued with a damaged car. Everybody was GP ITALY Alesi Coulthard (6) GP AUSTRIA Villeneuve Villeneuve GP LUXEMBURG Häkkinen Villeneuve (2) GP JAPAN Villeneuve Schumacher (2) »The season is only half over but Villeneuve has no chance.« GP EUROPE* Villeneuve Häkkinen (5) EDDIE IRVINE Most wins Most pole positions 7 Villeneuve 10 Villeneuve wondering if the Williams would last until the end of 5 Schumacher 3 Schumacher the race. Jacques Villeneuve: “He hit me really, really 2 Coulthard 1 Frentzen hard and I was sure the crash had broken something. 1 Frentzen Alesi It was lucky he went of the road, because afterwards Berger Berger my car felt really weird.” Villeneuve slowed down Häkkinen Häkkinen intentionally, letting the two McLaren drivers take the 8 Williams 11 Williams lead. With a third place the Canadian secured himself 5 Ferrari 3 Ferrari the World Championship. 3 McLaren 2 Benetton FIA erased Schumacher’s points (78), and with 1 Benetton 1 McLaren this action let everybody know that nobody will ever be able to win the title with an intentional col ision. Bernie Ecclestone: “Good for Villeneuve, and good for Formula 1. He’s a real racer and he put on a great show. In the end, Michael was a little bit stupid and made things easier for him.” In the shadow of these events the Finn Mika Häkkinen took his first victory of what was to be many to come. 1998 MIKA HÄKKINEN (McLaren Mercedes) In 1998 the FIA ‘introduced’ grooved tyres to thing better and still have a good result. The boys are replace slicks: the front tyres had three grooves, with here to race.” The press was outraged, and while the four on the rear tyres. Grooved tyres would remain FIA didn’t intervene, it clearly sent a massage to the in Formula One until the reintroduction of slicks in teams that these sorts of ‘arrangements’ wouldn’t be 2009. During winter tests lots of critics flew at this welcome in the future. decision by the FIA but it all fell into place prior The reason for such a good start by the McLaren to the first race of the season. Racing cars were now team was hidden in the form of a controversial rear narrower by 20 cm (they went from 200 to 180 cm), braking system, so prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix and Team Williams had an awful time adapting to Ferrari filed a complaint. McLaren had to remove the this. Patrick Head, technical director of the British system but the outcome was the same – Häkkinen team, admitted he alone was to blame for a poor and Coulthard were again on the highest podium competitiveness in 1998, for just as like at the end of steps. The season started to look like 1988 when 1995 he accepted a decision of making an evolution McLaren won 15 out of 16 races but Michael STANDINGS 100 Mika Häkkinen (mclaren mercedes) of the car instead of a whole new package. Another Schumacher in a Ferrari struck back. In Argentina the 86 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) blow to Williams was its designer Adrian Newey German beat Häkkinen fair and square and went on 56 David Coulthard (mclaren mercedes) 47 Eddie Irvine (ferrari) leaving for McLaren. Also, Renault decided to pul to take the wins in Canada and France as well. 21 Jacques Villeneuve (williams mecachrome) out of Formula 1, so in 1998 Williams and Benetton In Britain Schumacher won the race while 20 Damon Hill (jordan mugen-honda) 17 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (williams mecachrome) basically raced with modified engines designed in in Melbourne. The Australian Grand Prix began with crossing the finish line in the pits! This was due to Alexander Wurz (benetton playlife) 16 Giancarlo Fisichella (benetton playlife) 1997. an affair. Häkkinen got to the first corner first but a 10 second stop-and-go penalty he got, but the 14 Ralf Schumacher (jordan mugen-honda) FIA had to intervene during the season, for Team the Finn had a problem hearing the team over his German was clever and decided to serve it on his last 9 Jean Alesi (sauber petronas) 4 Rubens Barrichello (stewart ford) Tyrell mounted huge wings on each side of their radio connection. He pulled into the pits when he lap – all of this happened despite a very important 3 Mika Salo (arrows) racing cars, and when Ferrari copied the invention shouldn’t have, thus handing the lead to Coulthad. fact that the Ferrari garage was located after the start-Pedro Diniz (arrows) 1 Johnny Herbert (sauber petronas) and put even bigger ones on theirs, they simply But the latter let Häkkinen back in front and the Finn finish line! Michael later managed to keep his win Jarno Trulli (prost peugeot) Jan Magnussen (stewart ford) banned the innovation with an explanation that won. The two had an agreement prior to the start because the commissars of the race made a mistake. the wings were too dangerous in case of head on that he who gets to the first corner first is allowed They should have notified the Ferrari team of the TEAMS 156 McLaren Mercedes col isions. Many, though, thought they were banned to win no matter what. Ron Dennis: “I’m pleased penalty within 25 minutes but they did after half an 133 Ferrari simply because the cars looked too ugly! they stuck to the agreement. McLaren competes in a hour. 38 Williams Mecachrome 34 Jordan Mugen-Honda The McLaren team dominated during winter championship with 16 races and not just one. We’d At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Schumacher, 33 Benetton Playlife 10 Sauber Petronas testing. Drivers from other teams were convinced that look silly if they crashed each other out and failed to masterminded by Ross Brawn’s brilliant tactics that 6 Arrows Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard would beat score a single point.” Bernie Ecclestone: “The whole required him to make an extra pitstop, won superbly. 5 Stewart Ford 1 Prost Peugeot everybody else by a full lap at the start of the season thing is disgusting. McLaren could’ve handled the Michael Schumacher: “Absolutely outstanding! There was an amazing amount of emotion, standing on the “Jacques is fortunate because that was a big hit. It’s and take over the championship lead as well but Race Pole Winner podium and facing so many German and Ferrari fans. very difficult to take Eau Rouge flat and you saw what along came David Coulthard who was down by one GP AUSTRALIA Häkkinen Häkkinen This is one of the best wins of al !” happened when he tried it. I know he is pleased with lap. The Scott slowed down on one of the straights GP BRAZIL Häkkinen Häkkinen Two nasty accidents heralded a shambolic the spectacular outcome, because he’s that sort of a and the Ferrari driver crashed into the back of GP ARGENTINA Coulthard Schumacher (2) weekend at Spa. In Friday practice, Villeneuve’s bloke.” Jacques Villeneuve: “It was my best accident the McLaren. Both drivers were out of the race. GP SAN MARINO Coulthard Coulthard car flew out of control in the awesome Eau Rouge in Formula 1. I just bruised my knee a bit, nothing Did Coulthard slow down deliberately? Michael GP SPAIN Häkkinen Häkkinen corner. The Williams slewed sideways, skipped over major.” Come race day, the track was wet, and there Schumacher: “Obviously, lifting on the straight, like GP MONACO Häkkinen Häkkinen GP CANADA Coulthard Schumacher (3) a gravel trap, and slammed backwards into a tyre was massive pile-up in the first corner. Thirteen of he did when I hit him, was very dangerous. He has GP FRANCE Häkkinen Schumacher (2) wal . The violent impact ripped off both rear wheels, the 22 starters were involved in the melee, which sent the experience to know you shouldn’t do that, so GP GREAT BRITAIN Häkkinen Schumacher (2) and tore the tyre wall to shreds. All the other drivers wheels and debris flying in all directions. Several of one could think he did it deliberately.” Coulthard GP AUSTRIA Fisichella Häkkinen (3) were relieved to see him clamber unhurt from the those who restarted the race were later involved in was repeatedly telling the press he didn’t do GP GERMANY Häkkinen Häkkinen wreckage. On Saturday, Mika Salo suffered an equally yet more col isions and the final tally stopped at 23 anything wrong but years later he finally admitted GP HUNGARY Häkkinen Schumacher (3) heavy accident in the same place. Damon Hill: damaged cars. Schumacher was on his way to win he deliberately slowed down. GP BELGIUM Häkkinen Hill (3) GP ITALY Schumacher Schumacher GP LUXEMBURG Schumacher Häkkinen (3) GP JAPAN* Schumacher Häkkinen (2) »I guess everybody back home in Finland is upside-down.« Most wins Most pole positions MIKA HÄKKINEN 8 Häkkinen 9 Häkkinen 6 Schumacher 3 Schumacher Mika Häkkinen had a 4 points advantage over 1 Coulthard Coulthard Michael Schumacher going into the season finale in Hill 1 Fisichella Japan. The German secured himself pole position on Saturday but only by a tenth of a second ahead of 9 McLaren 12 McLaren the Finn. It seemed an interesting race was going to 6 Ferrari 3 Ferrari 1 Jordan 1 Benetton unfold on Sunday but Schumacher stalled on the line and had to start from the back of the grid. His futile recovery drive was ended by a puncture after he had climbed back to third. Mika Häkkinen: “When I saw Michael’s Ferrari parked beside the track, I knew it was over. I started whistling to myself in the car, and slowed down a bit. The team came on the radio and told me to speed up, go for the win. But there was no rush. I’m very happy. We’re all very happy. And I guess everybody in Finland is upside-down.” David Coulhard: “Mika is an unusual character, very reserved and, because of that, hard to get to know. But he’s a good person.” 1999 MIKA HÄKKINEN (McLaren Mercedes) Goodyear’s withdrawal left Bridgestone with a Coulthard won ahead of Irvine while a lost wheel tyre monopoly in 1999, so now it would be much proved expensive for Häkkinen. After an operation for easier to judge Ferrari’s performance against that of a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg, Schumacher McLaren. There were no driver changes in the two top was expected to be out of action for at least six weeks. teams but, at Williams, Ralf Schumacher joined from He was replaced by a Finn. Mika Salo: “On Sunday Jordan and Alex Zanardi returned to Formula 1 from I was at London Heathrow, just leaving for Helsinki. a successful American foray in ChampCar racing. I saw the start of the race on TV in the departure Heinz-Harald Frentzen went to Jordan alongside lounge, and then I had to go to the plane. On Monday Damon Hill, but the biggest development was the morning my manager called me and said, ‘Pick up your appearance of a brand new team. After a year as the stuff, go to the airport. You have a flight to Bologne in low-key owner at Tyrell, British-American Racing one hour.’ I didn’t have time to pack anything! I just STANDINGS hit the scene with a huge media splash. Ricardo took a pair of jeans and T-shirt and left. I didn’t really 76 Mika Häkkinen (mclaren mercedes) Zonta, a Brazilian who won Formula 3000 ahead of believe it. When I landed, somebody from Ferrari 74 Eddie Irvine (ferrari) 54 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (jordan mugen-honda) the Columbian Juan Pablo Montoya in 1997, joined was there to meet me, and it was only then I was sure 48 David Coulthard (mclaren mercedes) Villeneuve at BAR but the team’s season was a disaster. it wasn’t a joke.” Salo was instructed to help Irvine 44 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) 35 Ralf Schumacher (williams supertec) Not only had they failed to score a point, Villeneuve score as many points as possible and he did that. He 21 Rubens Barrichello (stewart ford) failed to finish the first 11 races! was in the lead at the German Grand Prix when he let 15 Johnny Herbert (stewart ford) 13 Giancarlo Fisichella (benetton playlife) The first race of the season saw an unexpected win Jean Alesi and Olivier Panis. There was more rain on Irvine pass him, and suddenly the 33-year-old Eddie 10 Mika Salo (BAR supertec, ferrari) 7 Jarno Trulli (prost peugeot) from Eddie Irvine due to bad luck from the main title Sunday and Heinz-Harald Frentzen managed to win found himself in the championship lead. That same Damon Hill (jordan mugen-honda) contenders which were Häkkinen and Schumacher. the race with brilliant tactics. Eddie who had a permanent residence on his yacht 3 Alexander Wurz (benetton playlife) Pedro Diniz (sauber petronas) In Canada where the world champions Michael The British Grand Prix was next and it turned named Anaconda – a yacht, full of girls in bikinis. 2 Jean Alesi (sauber petronas) Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve and Damon Hill al the championship upside down. Soon after the start Ross Brawn, Ferrari’s technical director: “People get Olivier Panis (prost peugeot) 1 Marc Gené (minardi ford) crashed their cars at the same place (into the wall on Michael Schumacher flew off track, hit a tyre wal , and the impression that Eddie is a playboy driver, but he Pedro de la Rosa (arrows) the exit of the last corner) only the reigning world it was immediately clear he was hurt. Professor Sid is actually very serious and it is no surprise to see how TEAMS champion Mika Häkkinen managed to escape the Watkins: “I was with Michael within 85 seconds of the far he has come along. When he joined us he wasn’t 128 Ferrari 124 McLaren Mercedes traps of the Montreal circuit and eventually won the accident. When I arrived, he said ‘Hello Sid, it’s just as fast as Michael, but he has learned Michael’s sense 61 Jordan Mugen-Honda race. The French Grand Prix followed and it came as my leg, not a big problem.’ So we got him out of the of commitment and how to get the best out of his car. 36 Stewart Ford 35 Williams Supertec a fountain in the desert for those who were tired of car and laid him down. I checked his neck, and it was He has a marvellous way of divorcing himself from 16 Benetton Playlife 9 Prost Peugeot McLaren and Ferrari wins. It started on Saturday when OK. I splinted his right leg, because it was obviously everything and getting on with the job.” 5 Sauber Petronas Rubens Barrichello took advantage of rainy conditions broken – you could see the angle of deformation in After the Italian Grand Prix another candidate 1 Minardi Ford Arrows in qualifying and came first ahead of the French duo the shin.” The race was stopped, and after the restart emerged in the title chase. Heinz-Harald Frentzen won that race, and with 3 competitions to go the winning the championship?” Frentzen only laughed, Marc Gene in a Minardi and finished seventh. Had he Race Pole Winner German trailed Irvine and Häkkinen only by 10 started the sentence with ‘Well…’ and continued it overtaken him, he’d celebrate his first title at the end GP AUSTRALIA Häkkinen Irvine (6) points. La Gazzetta Dello Sport named him ‘Driver was unlikely. But it was he who secured himself pole of the year. GP BRAZIL Häkkinen Häkkinen of the year’. At the press conference soon after his win position at the next race, the European Grand Prix Michael Schumacher had a comeback at the GP SAN MARINO Häkkinen Schumacher (3) in Monza Frentzen had been asked if he thought he at the German Nürburgring. He even led the race, Malaysian Grand Prix and what a comeback it was. GP MONACO Häkkinen Schumacher (2) had a chance. The German asked back ‘A chance of but had to retire with car failure. Häkkinen was fifth He beat everybody by almost a second in qualifying GP SPAIN Häkkinen Häkkinen what?’ so the surprised journalist added: “A chance of there while Irvine failed to pass the Spanish driver and then led the race comfortably, only to slow GP CANADA Schumacher Häkkinen (2) GP FRANCE Barrichello Frentzen (5) GP GREAT BRITAIN Häkkinen Coulthard (3) GP AUSTRIA Häkkinen Irvine (3) »I was with Michael within 85 seconds of the accident. GP GERMANY Häkkinen Irvine (5) GP HUNGARY Häkkinen Häkkinen When I arrived, he saaid ‘Hello Sid, it’s just my leg, not a big GP BELGIUM Häkkinen Coulthard (2) GP ITALY Häkkinen Frentzen (2) GP EUROPE Frentzen Herbert (14) problem.’ I splinted his leg, because it was obviously broken - you GP MALAYSIA Schumacher Irvine (2) GP JAPAN* Schumacher Häkkinen (2) could see the angle of deformations in the shin.« SID WATKINS Most wins Most pole positions 5 Häkkinen 11 Häkkinen 4 Irvine 3 Schumacher down later and let his teammate win. Irvine had a 2 Frentzen 1 Frentzen 4 points advantage going into the season finale in Coulthard Barrichello Japan, and there Schumacher, again, beat everybody Schumacher in qualifying. But Häkkinen overtook Michael 1 Herbert at the start of the race, and even if the German, 7 McLaren 11 McLaren again, let Irvine in front, the title would go to the 6 Ferrari 3 Ferrari Finn because Mika had more wins than Eddie. If 2 Jordan 1 Jordan Schumacher had let Irvine finish in front, it would 1 Stewart Stewart have been the first time in history that two drivers would have the same amount of championship points. Michael Schumacher: “Yes, but this wouldn’t help him now, would it?” Ferrari did, though, win the World Cup for Constructors – it was their first since 1983. Bernie Ecclestone: “The beautiful thing about Formula 1 is its unpredictability.” Eddie Irvine: “When I started racing, there were guys mouthing off that I would never make it as long as I had a hole in my arse. Well, they got that bit wrong.” 2000 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) This season was entirely in the colours of teams as well, but it’s an exercise in physics which takes the McLaren and Ferrari. Never before had 2 teams mystery and spontaneity out of the sport.” In the dominated the season so much. Their drivers took 43 paddock in Barcelona, Irvine’s Jaguar Racing lost its out of 51 possible podium positions! BMW was back mascot. An enormous, chrome-plated, carbonfibre in Formula 1 while Ford bought Team Stewart and replica of a jungle cat, which had adorned the top of renamed it into Jaguar. It was the debut year of the Jaguar’s monstrous motorhome, suddenly disappeared. 2009 World Champion Jenson Button. The person who was responsible for its banishment The first two races saw the domination of McLaren explained why it had to go. Bernie Ecclestone: “Jaguar drivers in qualifying but Mika and David failed to would have started a silly trend. First thing you’d know, score points on either of the two Grand Prix events Peugeot would be wanting a lion. Then you’d get due to engine failures and a disqualification. Both Ferrari wanting a donkey or whatever that thing is on races were won by Michael Schumacher who basically the side of their cars. Before long, the paddock would secured himself an important advantage in his fight for be looking like a bloody zoo.” STANDINGS the championship. After a nightmare experience in Canada, where 108 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) Coulthard won in Britain but his post-race joy it rained, Coulthard emerged triumphant in France 89 Mika Häkkinen (mclaren mercedes) 73 David Coulthard (mclaren mercedes) was short-lived. The following week, he was in a in a torrid struggle with Michael Schumacher in 62 Rubens Barrichello (ferrari) horrific private plane crash in France, in which the exceptionally high temperatures. Controversial starting 24 Ralf Schumacher (williams BMW) 18 Giancarlo Fisichella (benetton playlife) two pilots were killed. Along with his girlfriend, Heidi In Barcelona, Häkkinen won and Coulthard, tactics, which were now increasingly being used from 17 Jacques Villeneuve (BAR honda) 12 Jenson Button (williams BMW) Wichlinski, and his trainer, Andy Mathews, he had a remarkably, was second, despite the trauma of the plane pole position by Schumacher, raised extra heat in the 11 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (jordan mugen-honda) miraculous escape. David Coulthard: “We had time crash and the pain from cracked ribs. In Spain, those McLaren cockpit. Thus fired-up, Coulthard channelled 6 Jarno Trulli (jordan mugen-honda) Mika Salo (sauber petronas) to prepare ourselves in the brace position prior to of a literary bent recalled that Ernest Hemingway, a his ire into impressive aggression. First he decisively 5 Jos Verstappen (arrows supertec) landing. On impact, the wing tanks ruptured and there noted aficionado of all things Spanish, had written overtook Barrichello, who had slipped into second 4 Eddie Irvine (jaguar ford) 3 Ricardo Zonta (BAR honda) was a fire on the right-hand side of the aircraft. When that there were only three real sports – bul fighting, place when Coulthard backed off. Then he disposed 2 Alexander Wurz (benetton playlife) Pedro de la Rosa (arrows supertec) it finally came to rest, the front of the cockpit had mountaineering and motor racing – and that all the of the race-leading Ferrari with a pass in which the broken free from the main fuselage. The only way out rest were merely games. The author’s romantic view wheels of their cars were briefly intertwined. As he TEAMS 170 Ferrari was through the front of the aircraft. Andy led the way was not shared by everyone. Eddie Irvine: “I’m not completed the move, he aimed an impolite one-finger 152 McLaren Mercedes through the debris and, as part of the plane was now really into the romance of it al . A car is a steering salute in his adversary’s direction. David Coulhard: “I 36 Williams BMW 20 Benetton Playlife three feet off the ground, I followed Andy so we could wheel, four wheels, two wings and an engine. Formula have to apologize for the gesture which was not at all in BAR Honda 17 Jordan Mugen-Honda help Heid out. Once we were all clear, I returned to the 1 is about physics. It’s all about the amount of load on keeping with the sport. But my emotions were running 7 Arrows Supertec wreckage to see if there was anything I could do for the the car, the amount of grip from the tyres, the amount high. I was very angry.” 6 Sauber Petronas 4 Jaguar Cosworth poor old pilots. But there was nothing to be done.” of fuel in it. Driver ability comes into the equation The driver's story of changing direction repeated in Germany, only this time it was Coulthard’s McLaren police reported the person had cut his way through the They argued. Ayrton punched him in the nose. That Race Pole Winner that appeared to zig-zag in front of the Ferrari. Jacques fence near Jim Clark chicane. According to his own was more like real motor racing.” After the Hungarian GP AUSTRALIA Häkkinen Schumacher (3) Villeneuve: “David’s start was not acceptable. He only words, he wanted to protest against his dismissal by Grand Prix Häkkinen took over the lead in the GP BRAZIL Häkkinen Schumacher (3) did it to repay Michael. If this is acceptable, we’re all Mercedes-Benz. The man is in custody.” The person’s championship from Schumacher for the first time in GP SAN MARINO Häkkinen Schumacher (2) going to start doing it.” Schumacher was promptly sign said: “They knew at Mercedes-Benz about my the season but the first three drivers were very close, GP GREAT BRITAIN Barrichello Coulthard (4) rammed out of the race by Fisichella’s Benetton. health problems. They offered me a working place for Coulthard in third place trailed the Finn only by 6 GP SPAIN Schumacher Häkkinen (2) Michael Schumacher: “I’m a tough racing driver, where I couldn’t work. Then they fired me because of points. GP EUROPE Coulthard Schumacher (2) GP MONACO Schumacher Coulthard (3) but I’m no Rambo. This is two races in a row that I physical incompetence – after 20 years of work.” The Belgian Grand Prix followed and it was GP CANADA Schumacher Schumacher was pushed off the track.” More drama ensued. First, The Hungarian weekend began with an escalation remembered by a superb battle between Häkkinen and GP FRANCE Schumacher Coulthard (2) a spectator invaded the track, wielding a protest of the controversy over swerving at the starts. Jean Schumacher, who was beaten by a brilliant overtaking GP AUSTRIA Häkkinen Häkkinen banner and triggering a Safety Car. Then it rained. Alesi: “These disagreements belong in kindergarten. manoeuvre. Häkkinen’s first passing attempt was GP GERMANY Coulthard Barrichello (18) Hockenheim statement: “The person who invaded I remember when Ayrton Senna went to see Eddie rudely chopped but, on the next lap, he cleverly used GP HUNGARY Schumacher Häkkinen (3) and crossed the track is a 47-year-old Frenchman. The Irvine (Japan 1993). Irvine cut him off in the race. Ricardo Zonta’s lapped BAR to outwit his rival: the GP BELGIUM Häkkinen Häkkinen GP ITALY Schumacher Schumacher GP USA Schumacher Schumacher GP JAPAN* Schumacher Schumacher »Ayrton punched Eddie in the nose. Now that’s motor racing!« GP MALAYSIA Schumacher Schumacher JEAN ALESI Most wins Most pole positions 9 Schumacher 9 Schumacher most exciting moment of the year. Ricardo Zonta: “I 4 Häkkinen 5 Häkkinen saw them coming up fast in my mirrors, so I stayed in 3 Coulthard 2 Coulthard the middle of the track to give them room. It was an 1 Barrichello 1 Barrichello amazing view.” The race at Monza in 2000 will be remembered 10 Ferrari 10 Ferrari 7 McLaren 7 McLaren for a tragic, multi-car accident on the first lap at the second chicane, which killed a track marshal, Paolo Ghislimberti. Much of what happened was obscured by smoke and dust, but everyone involved had a harrowing tale to tell. Rubens Barrichello: “Frentzen braked too late and hit me, provoking an incident which involved a large number of cars.” The championship was decided in Japan. Häkkinen’s engine blew while chasing Schumacher at the US Grand Prix, so the Finn was in a tough position, for he was trailing the German by 8 points. He desperately needed to win but, at the end, lost the race by a mere second and the title as well. 2001 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) Two drivers who would later become champions pole position and with this result he let everybody had their debuts in 2001. The first one was Kimi know that 2001 was going to be even a better year Räikkönen from Finland and the second Fernando than 2000. The highest podium place was soon visited Alonso from Spain. There was a lot of media by his younger brother Ralf, the first time at the attention around the first one, for prior to Formula San Marino Grand Prix. David Coulthard who was 1 he only had a minor number of races in single second recalled: “In the first few laps, I thought Ralf sitters. Many thought he shouldn’t have received must be on a five-stop strategy – he couldn’t be that the superlicence for racing at the highest level but quick. Then reality started to sink in and I realised he silenced the critics with an excellent drive in his there was no way I was going to catch him.” Michael first Grand Prix in Australia, where he even scored Schumacher: “It is the first time in Formula 1 that two points. He secured himself a seat at McLaren for the brothers managed to visit the highest podium position. STANDINGS 2002 season. Alonso, too, delighted the motor racing Our parents will be very happy with this news.” 123 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) world – although it has to be written that racing in The Spanish race was notable for the return of 65 David Coulthard (mclaren mercedes) 56 Rubens Barrichello (ferrari) the back left the majority of F1 fans scratching their traction and launch control systems – ‘driving aids’ 49 Ralf Schumacher (williams BMW) heads when even mentioning his name. He had by that had been banned since 1993 because it was felt 37 Mika Häkkinen (mclaren mercedes) 31 Juan Pablo Montoya (williams BMW) far the worst car on the grid but despite this he only that drivers, not computers, should be in control of the 12 Jacques Villeneuve (BAR honda) once qualified as last. He was actually eighteenth cars. It had been widely suspected that some teams had Nick Heidfeld (sauber petronas) Jarno Trulli (jordan honda) on six occasions, once (at the US Grand Prix) even little Italian team was taken over by Australian-born continued to use these illegal electronics devices, and 9 Kimi Räikkönen (sauber petronas) 8 Giancarlo Fisichella (benetton renault) seventeenth! businessman Paul Stoddart shortly before the start the FIA admitted that it was powerless to stop them. 6 Eddie Irvine (jaguar ford) The Columbian Juan Pablo Montoya entered of the season. Paul Stoddart: “Teams with budgets of Niki Lauda: “A monkey could drive these cars now. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (jordan honda, prost acer) 5 Olivier Panis (BAR honda) Formula 1 as another rookie. Montoya was the hundreds of millions of dol ars will beat us. But we’ll Maybe not quickly, but it would be possible.” Jean Alesi (prost acer, jordan honda) reigning CART champion and the winner of the be one of the most motivated teams in Formula 1. David Coulthard who trailed Michael Schumacher 3 Pedro de la Rosa (jaguar ford) 2 Jenson Button (benetton renault) Indy 500 race. The Columbian surprised everybody We’ll also be the friendliest.” by 4 points prior to the Monaco Grand Prix won an 1 Jos Verstappen (arrows asiatech) at his third race already when he managed to Among other changes, Prost split with Peugeot and important pole position there, but come race day he TEAMS overtake Schumacher in a memorable way and led joined Sauber in paying for Ferrari ‘customer’ engines, had another launch control glitch, and from this race 179 Ferrari 102 McLaren Mercedes the Brazilian Grand Prix comfortably, only to be while Peugeot sold off its race engine operation to onwards the German never felt a real threat from his 80 Williams BMW taken out of the race by Jos Verstappen who was a lap Asiatech, which joined forces with Arrows. rivals. 21 Sauber Petronas 19 Jordan Honda down. The season began in Melbourne and there was The race in Germany began with a heart-stopping 17 BAR Honda 10 Benetton Renault Michelin was back in the sport for the first time another first lap incident which took a life of a track accident at the start. Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari 9 Jaguar Cosworth since 1984. Teams to race with French tyres were marshal – this time it was Graham Baveridge who was slowed with a transmission malfunction and was struck 4 Prost Acer 1 Arrows Asiatech Williams, Benetton, Jaguar, Prost and Minardi. The struck by Villeneuve’s wheel. Schumacher won from by Luciano Burti’s Prost, which cart-wheeled to the first corner. The race was red-flagged, and Michael got two airplanes crashed into the WTC buildings. Each his legs. And the photographer who replaced Bor Race Pole Winner another chance – only to suffer a fuel pump failure. Formula 1 team responded in a different way to this took a series of photographs in which even parts of GP AUSTRALIA Schumacher Schumacher This was the last race all the way to Bahrain 2005 that event. Ferrari painted the nose of the car in the colour Alessandro’s legs could be seen. The atmosphere on GP MALAYSIA Schumacher Schumacher Schumacher failed to finish because of a car problem. of black while some other teams chose to have an Sunday at Autodromo Monza was intense but luckily GP BRAZIL Schumacher Coulthard (5) Montoya from the pole was well set for victory when American flag on the side of their four-wheelers. The there were no further tragedies. And Zanardi, too, GP SAN MARINO Coulthard R. Schumacher (3) an engine failure let in his teammate. racing weekend didn’t begin well. Häkkinen emerged recovered. In fact, he even started racing again. The GP SPAIN Schumacher Schumacher It was all over in Hungary. Schumacher won unhurt from a frightening accident in qualifying. Italian joined the World Touring Car Championship GP AUSTRIA Schumacher Coulthard (7) GP MONACO Coulthard Schumacher (2) the race and secured both titles for the team. David The same afternoon a Slovenian photographer Bor and he wasn’t just on the sidelines there, he managed GP CANADA Schumacher R. Schumacher (2) Coulthard: “Today is all about Michael. I congratulate Dobrin stood at the German Lausitzring circuit to climb to the highest podium position. GP EUROPE Schumacher Schumacher him on his achievement and recommend he takes a where a race of the Champ Car competition was Back to 2001! The race in USA was a classic. GP FRANCE R. Schumacher Schumacher (2) holiday for the last four Grand Prix races.” well underway. Bor had just moved from his position After a penalty for an infringement in the warm-up GP GREAT BRITAIN Schumacher Häkkinen (2) Five days prior to the Italian Grand Prix the world when it happened. Alessandro Zanardi got tangled had dropped him from second to fourth on the grid, GP GERMANY Montoya R. Schumacher (2) witnessed an alleged terrorist attack in USA where up into a horrifying crash in which he lost both of Häkkinen drove beautifully to win from Michael GP HUNGARY* Schumacher Schumacher GP BELGIUM Montoya Schumacher (3) GP ITALY Montoya Montoya GP USA Schumacher Häkkinen (4) »I’m telling you, a monkey could drive these racing cars now.« GP JAPAN Schumacher Schumacher NIKI LAUDA Most wins Most pole positions 9 Schumacher 11 Schumacher Schumacher. Mika Häkkinen: “One more race and 3 R. Schumacher 3 Montoya it is Hasta La Vista for me!” The Finn was to take a 2 Coulthard 2 Coulthard sabbatical in 2002, having been feeling negatively Häkkinen 1 R. Schumacher about his profession for some time. It later turned out 1 Montoya that he wasn’t just taking a sabbatical, for he retired from Formula 1, but not from racing. A couple of 9 Ferrari 11 Ferrari 4 McLaren 4 Williams years later he joined the Mercedes team in the DTM Williams 2 McLaren championship where he managed to win 3 races in the space of 3 seasons. Veteran driver Jean Alesi scored a point at the US Grand Prix for Jordan in his landmark 200th Grand Prix – and would announce his retirement shortly before starting his 201st race. In Japan Schumacher took pole position by a massive margin with the qualifying performance of the season. He then made more history by dominating the race from lights to flag, thus extending the record for the total career points to 801, and his own record for points scored in a single season to 123. 2002 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) The German driver Michael Schumacher made his missed out on the 2008 title due to an unfair points and Ferrari’s fans happy one more time, but he also put scoring system. Formula 1 into one of its most monotone periods. The The Ferrari team used the old car at the first two championship fight was over at the French Grand Prix, 6 races, the new one (F2002) had its debut at the Brazilian races before the end of the season. Grand Prix. Schumacher felt comfortable in it and Schumacher equalled Fangio’s almost half a started winning like a man gone crazy. After the Spanish century old record of five titles. The World Cup for Grand Prix he already had a 21 points advantage ahead Constructors was won at the Hungarian Grand Prix, of his nearest rival in the overall standings. It was this and Scuderia summed up more points than all the other big margin that mostly outraged the F1 fans while teams combined! watching the Austrian Grand Prix, for there the Ferrari McLaren decided to change its tyre supplier from team ordered the leader of the race Rubens Barrichello STANDINGS Bridgestone to Michelin. Meanwhile, Renault bought to give way for Michael Schumacher. A year before it 144 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) 77 Rubens Barrichello (ferrari) the Benetton team, for the French tried to do what they was for second place, but this time it was for the win, 50 Juan Pablo Montoya (williams BMW) 42 Ralf Schumacher (williams BMW) failed in the 70’s and 80’s, that is: win the championship and the public went mad. A concert of whistles was 41 David Coulthard (mclaren mercedes) with their own car. heard from the main grandstand, some people even 24 Kimi Räikkönen (mclaren mercedes) 14 Jenson Button (renault) Toyota was in Formula 1 for the first time and the raised their middle finger. To make things worse, the 9 Jarno Trulli (renault) Japanese team had by far the biggest budget at their drivers themselves added fuel to the fire, for Michael 8 Eddie Irvine (jaguar ford) 7 Nick Heidfeld (sauber petronas) disposal. FIA changed the penalty rule for drivers. A drive-through penalty and the Williams driver wasn’t pulled Rubens to the highest step while the German Giancarlo Fisichella (jordan honda) 4 Jacques Villeneuve (BAR honda) drive-through penalty replaced the 10 second stop-and- happy. He said some ‘juicy stuff’ over the radio of what stepped on the one for second place. Jacques Villeneuve Felipe Massa (sauber petronas) go penalty. he thought about the penalty. Many underlined that (a year before the incident!): “The team is built around 3 Olivier Panis (BAR honda) 2 Takuma Sato (jordan honda) The beginning of the season didn’t give an indication Juan Pablo Montoya would’ve had better results had ne Schumacher. Barrichello’s contract clearly states that the Mark Webber (minardi asiatech) that Schumacher was to dominate the year, and for his not raced with the Michelin tyres which were good only Brazilian has to help Michael at every race. Everyone Mika Salo (toyota) Heinz-Harald Frentzen (arrows ford, sauber petronas) biggest rival the media marked Juan Pablo Montoya. for a few laps. knows that – Rubens, Michael, the fans, the press… TEAMS The Columbian summed up the same amount of pole The rookies of the season were: Al an McNish Why are you surprised?” Media reported that the 221 Ferrari positions as Schumacher (7), but despite this failed to (Toyota) from Scotland, the Australian Mark Webber, team rules were totally unnecessary. In their opinion 92 Williams BMW 65 McLaren Mercedes win a single race. He was unfortunate a couple of times, Takuma Sato from Japan and the Brazilian Felipe Ferrari had a significant supremacy over their rivals 23 Renault his car broke on three occasions and with some of his Massa. Webber is still (that is: up to 2017 when these and could’ve avoided such a scandal. Many wondered 11 Sauber Petronas 9 Jordan Honda own mistakes like bad starts Montoya missed out on lines are being written down) the driver with most races how the Scuderia would regain its reputation and two 8 Jaguar Cosworth 7 BAR Honda some good results. At the Malaysian Grand Prix (second before first win (130). Sato who was soon knick-named races later the motor racing world got its answer. At the 2 Minardi Asiatech race of the season) he and Schumacher got tangled up Kamikaze for his foolishness on track became one of a European Grand Prix on a German track Nürburgring Toyota Arrows Cosworth soon after the start. The FIA gave the Columbian a few Japanese drivers to reach the podium. And Massa Barrichello, again, found himself ahead of Schumacher, but was allowed to win. But what might be interesting then! But let’s look at some circumstances first. would take too long. Michael’s spin at Nürburgring Race Pole Winner about this race is that Schumacher was actually in the Schumacher had a staggering 44 points advantage seemed strange because of another reason: rarely did the GP AUSTRALIA Barrichello Schumacher (2) lead and spun. Some suggested that the German ace did ahead of the nearest rival in the overall standings German make a mistake while leading. When the chief GP MALAYSIA Schumacher R. Schumacher (4) that deliberately, for at Ferrari they didn’t want to wait (that was the Columbian Juan Pablo Montoya in the of logistics at Ferrari Miodrag Kotur (born in the former GP BRAZIL Montoya Schumacher (2) too long to ‘ease’ the media. The Italian team couldn’t do Williams). To simply let Barrichello in front wouldn’t Yugoslavia) was later asked did Michael Schumacher GP SAN MARINO Schumacher Schumacher that at Monaco, for there Schumacher was second and be wise because the FIA clearly sent a signal to all the spin at the European Grand Prix on purpose, the GP SPAIN Schumacher Schumacher Barrichello seventh. In Canada the pair also wasn’t close teams that it was not going to tolerate such a scandal charismatic Bosnian simply answered: “I do not GP AUSTRIA Barrichello Schumacher (2) GP MONACO Montoya Coulthard (2) enough to pull off such a thing because Coulthard raced which happened in Austria. And to wait that Barrichello remember that race.” And this statement might give the GP CANADA Montoya Schumacher (2) well and managed to split the Ferrari duo. Nürburgring would find himself ahead of Schumacher on his own majority of Formula 1 fans something to think about ... GP EUROPE Montoya Barrichello (4) GP GREAT BRITAIN Montoya Schumacher (3) GP FRANCE* Montoya Schumacher (2) »Barrichello’s contract clearly states that the Brazilian has to help GP GERMANY Schumacher Schumacher GP HUNGARY Barrichello Barrichello GP BELGIUM Schumacher Schumacher Michael at every race. Everyone knows that - Rubens, Michael, the GP ITALY Montoya Barrichello (4) GP USA Schumacher Barrichello (2) fans, the press... Why are you surprised?« GP JAPAN Schumacher Schumacher JACQUES VILLENEUVE Most wins Most pole positions 11 Schumacher 7 Schumacher After they had won the World Cup for Constructors 4 Barrichello Montoya at the Hungarian Grand Prix the Ferrari duo managed 1 R. Schumacher 3 Barrichello to celebrate not one, not two and not even three, but Coulthard four double victories by the end of the season, but again with a small scandal on one of those races. At 15 Ferrari 10 Ferrari 1 Williams 7 Williams the US Grand Prix held on the Indianapolis circuit the McLaren leading Schumacher surprised the fans and especially his superiors by slowing down in the last couple of metres. He waited for Barrichello who overtook him and eventually won, but only by 0.01 of a second at the finish line. Michael Schumacher: “We set numerous records this year. I wanted to break the one with the smallest margin in history. I had a good chance to try to cross the line with Rubens simultaneously, but at the end it didn’t quite turn out the way I planned.” Michael won a then-record 11 Grand Prix races, surpassing the previous record of 9 wins, jointly held by himself (1995, 2000 and 2001) and Nigel Mansell (1992). 2003 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) Even though the 2003 season didn’t give a new of the year 2003 didn’t start too well for the reigning world champion it wasn’t as ‘one-sided’ as the year world champion. 2002. It was full of new records, interesting stories Prior to the Austrian Grand Prix a Slovenian from the background and mostly it had lots of amazing reporter Miran Ališič invited Michael Schumacher to fights on track. Well, at least for the ones that liked a charity soccer match. The game was held in Nova this sport. For the first time since 1985 eight different Gorica near the border between Italy and Slovenia, and drivers managed to win a race, and both titles weren’t the money raised went to the children of Bosnia and won until the last Grand Prix of the season. Herzegovina, victims of mines that weren’t removed The FIA decided to change some rules. A new after the war in the former Yugoslav republic. points scoring system 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 was emplaced Schumacher didn’t lead the championship until instead of the 10-6-4-3-2-1. Ferrari complained the after the Canadian Grand Prix, and as it turned out STANDINGS most with this new change. Luca Di Montezemolo, later, he got the best of his rivals due to the 100 percent 93 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) 91 Kimi Räikkönen (mclaren mercedes) Chairman of Ferrari: “For Räikkönen to have a reliability of his Ferrari. Both Räikkönen and Montoya 82 Juan Pablo Montoya (williams BMW) 65 Rubens Barrichello (ferrari) theoretical chance to clinch the title at the last race who were also championship contenders weren’t that 58 Ralf Schumacher (williams BMW) when he only managed to win one race compared to lucky. The Finn failed to win at the European Grand 55 Fernando Alonso (renault) 51 David Coulthard (mclaren mercedes) Michael’s six is totally unacceptable.” Prix and the Columbian failed to win the races in 33 Jarno Trulli (renault) Ferrari lost two titles in the coming years because Austria and Japan, both due to car problems. To make 17 Jenson Button (BAR honda) Mark Webber (jaguar ford) of this rule. The first one was the World Cup for session then you really didn’t have a good chance to put things worse for them they were both ‘knocked out’ of 13 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (sauber petronas) 12 Giancarlo Fisichella (jordan ford) Constructors in 2006 and then Massa missed out on yourself onto a good grid position. the race on one occasion by foolishness of their rivals – 10 Cristiano da Matta (toyota) the crown for the best driver in 2008. The calculation Traction control and launch control were banned it happened soon after the start of those two races. 6 Nick Heidfeld (sauber petronas) Olivier Panis (toyota) was staggering: in 2005 when the calendar had 19 again. To transfer information from the pit-wall onto a What would happen, had it not been for this and Jacques Villeneuve (BAR honda) races the driver with 15 wins still wouldn’t have the car and radio connection was also forbidden. this was the main question after the British Grand Prix. 4 Marc Gené (williams BMW) 3 Takuma Sato (BAR honda) maximum amount of points! Michael Schumacher had a stressful start to the Irishman Cornelius Horan invaded the track with a 1 Ralph Firman (jordan ford) Justin Wilson (minardi ford, jaguar ford) The FIA also changed rules concerning qualifying, season. He was fourth in Australian due to false sign where it said ‘The Bible is always right’ and drivers and for a couple of years the Saturday session lost strategy. In Malaysia he bumped into Trul i right who were flying on Hangar straight with 300kph TEAMS 158 Ferrari its entire meaning. Drivers only had one lap to their after the start and finished sixth. In Brazil where it didn’t have such an easy time avoiding the fellow as it 144 Williams BMW disposal to set a good time, and to make things worse, was raining he ran over a stream and crashed out like looked on the TV monitors. Horan was later involved 142 McLaren Mercedes 88 Renault the cars had to have the amount of fuel ready for the several other drivers. Then further bad things started to in another incident. At the 2004 Summer Olympics 26 BAR Honda 19 Sauber Petronas race in them. The drivers went on track one after happen to him. Prior to the San Marino Grand Prix his he managed to push the leading marathon runner 18 Jaguar Cosworth another according to an order in the championship mother died, in Spain the new Ferrari F2003GA didn’t Vanderlei de Lima into the crowd, thus holding up the 16 Toyota 13 Jordan Ford standings which meant if it rained at the end of the seem to be as fast as expected, in short, the early part Brazilian for almost half a minute with 6 kilometres to go. Lima was third in the end while Horan got a fine between pistons at 110-degrees instead of the usual changed the nose of the Renault he even managed to Race Pole Winner in the amount of 3000 Euros and a twelve months' 90-degrees. The revolutionary idea came under the finish the race amongst the points scoring drivers. An GP AUSTRALIA Schumacher Coulthard (11) suspended sentence by the Greek court. pen of the French engineer Jean-Jacques His who was important win was celebrated by Michael Schumacher GP MALAYSIA Alonso Räikkönen (7) Three teams were in the fight for the championship the chief of the engine department and contributed to who beat a 32-years old record of the fastest race. GP BRAZIL Barrichello Fisichella (8) titles, but occasionally Renault steeped into the ‘game’ the Renault successes in the 90’s. But after the failure Michael won with an average speed of 247,585kph, GP SAN MARINO Schumacher Schumacher for the highest podium steps. Their Fernando Alonso with the new idea His had to leave the team very soon. thus surpassing Peter Gethin’s achievement from 1971. GP SPAIN Schumacher Schumacher was a test driver a year before, and although the When I was in Monza the same year I noticed that the Schumacher also managed to beat the record of the GP AUSTRIA Schumacher Schumacher GP MONACO R. Schumacher Montoya (3) Spaniard hated the idea of not racing, he later admitted Renault engine didn’t have that distinctive loud noise highest recorded top speed. On one of the straights GP CANADA R. Schumacher Schumacher (3) that it was an important period in his life. Alonso won which other engines had. Alonso made a mistake while he drove with 368,8kph or more than 100 metres per GP EUROPE Räikkönen R. Schumacher (3) in Hungary where he beat Michael Schumacher by qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, and soon after the second! GP FRANCE R. Schumacher R. Schumacher a whole lap. He would’ve done better at other tracks start he crashed into the British driver Justin Wilson. Prior to the United States Grand Prix at GP GREAT BRITAIN Barrichello Barrichello had the Renault engine produced more power. The The Spaniard’s car flew over the Jaguar, but to the Indianapolis the first three drivers in the overall GP GERMANY Montoya Montoya French developed a 10-valve engine with an angle amazement of everybody Alonso continued. After he standings (Schumacher, Räikkönen and Montoya) GP HUNGARY Alonso Alonso GP ITALY Schumacher Schumacher GP USA Räikkönen Schumacher (7) GP JAPAN* Barrichello Barrichello »Fangio’s achievements are impossible to compare with mine.« Most wins Most pole positions MICHAEL SCHUMACHER 6 Schumacher 5 Schumacher 2 Montoya 3 Barrichello weren’t far apart, only seven points separated the trio. Barrichello R. Schumacher They were in a good mood at the press conference R. Schumacher 2 Räikkönen where they even managed to hug and pose for the 1 Räikkönen Alonso photographers (Alonso in the back tried to ruin the Alonso 1 Montoya moment with a hand wave). But the trio didn’t want Coulthard Fisichella to pose for the second time. Michael Schumacher: “Should I give each one a kiss too?” The German driver 8 Ferrari 8 Ferrari won and at the last race – where Montoya was already 4 Williams 4 Williams out of the game – only needed to finish eighth if he 2 McLaren 2 McLaren was to achieve a record in the amount of titles. It was 1 Renault Renault an intense race, but Schumacher managed to crawl up Jordan to eighth and surpass Juan Manuel Fangio. Michael Schumacher: “Despite my record I believe that the Argentine is the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. His achievements are impossible to compare with mine, because he raced in a time where you had to risk much more than today. I don’t think I would’ve been able to accept those risks.” 2004 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) After a fearsome fight in 2003 many expected that motivation had much to do with what happened at Michael Schumacher will be thrown from the number Monaco. He beat Takuma Sato in qualifying (the BAR 1 spot in 2004. But it didn’t happen. On the contrary, driver became the first from Japan to put himself onto the German literary destroyed his rivals and had by far the front row of the grid!) by more than half a second, the best season of his career. He won his seventh title and dominated the race a day later. and fifth in a row, thus beating Fangio’s record of four The races in Canada and USA were remembered by in a row from the 50’s. Michael won a record amount serious crashes of Felipe Massa and Ralf Schumacher. of wins (13 in a season) and also beat Ascari’s 6 wins The Brazilian was lucky to escape only with neck pain, in a row from the year 1952 (Schumacher managed to but the German had to miss the following 6 races! A win 7 times in a row). He did, however, fail to finish all few races later Massa told me that something had to be STANDINGS the races of the season as he did in 2002 when he beat done to improve the safety. I also remembered another 148 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) Olivier Panis’s record from 1994. thing about the Brazilian. When I asked him if the 114 Rubens Barrichello (ferrari) 85 Jenson Button (BAR honda) Williams and McLaren as the toughest opponents new points scoring system, which provided a smaller 59 Fernando Alonso (renault) 58 Juan Pablo Montoya (williams BMW) to Ferrari failed entirely. Williams played with a advantage margin for the race winner (compared to 46 Jarno Trulli (renault, toyota) revolutionary new wide nose of the car, but the idea the year before), bothered him, the Sauber driver 45 Kimi Räikkönen (mclaren mercedes) 34 Takuma Sato (BAR honda) turned out to be a bad one. The British team replaced answered: “Unfortunately I’m not in a position to win 24 Ralf Schumacher (williams BMW) the nose with a conventional one at the Hungarian races, so I don’t think about it.” The calculation showed David Coulthard (mclaren mercedes) 22 Giancarlo Fisichella (sauber petronas) Grand Prix. McLaren was having other problems. races the Monaco Grand Prix provided a little more that Massa would’ve won the title in 2008 by two 12 Felipe Massa (sauber petronas) 7 Mark Webber (jaguar ford) Their car, which had a narrow nose, was braking down action to those who were starting to miss it. Trul i was points had the FIA stayed with 10-6-4-3-2-1. 6 Olivier Panis (toyota) constantly, and only when the B-spec car came out the fastest driver of the whole weekend, but with all The Canadian Grand Prix was especially a very Antonio Pizzonia (williams BMW) 3 Christian Klien (jaguar ford) during the mid-season, did the team start getting better those problems that other drivers had, he did have an dramatic race. First, Timo Glock from Germany Cristiano da Matta (toyota) results. The surprise of the season was British-American easier job of winning. Alonso tried to overtake Ralf replaced the Italian Giorgio Pantano in this race, due Nick Heidfeld (jordan ford) 2 Timo Glock (jordan ford) Racing (BAR), mainly due to the Honda engine which Schumacher on the dirty outside line of the Tunnel, to personal circumstances for Pantano. Then, Williams 1 Zsolt Baumgartner (minardi ford) was light and powerful. Jenson Button managed to step lost control of his Renault and crashed-out. He was and Toyota were excluded from the race due to an TEAMS on one of the podium steps 10 times! so angry with the German he even showed him the irregularity in the brake ducts. That meant the Jordan 262 Ferrari 119 BAR Honda FIA put two new races into the calendar, the middle finger – he did that during his pirouette! Then team was the main beneficiary of the disqualifications, 105 Renault Bahrain and Chinese Grand Prix. This increased the Schumacher was out when Montoya braked too late with Germans Nick Heidfeld and Timo Glock both 88 Williams BMW 69 McLaren Mercedes percentage of races outside Europe. Two years later it and crashed into the German – during driving behind scoring points, Glock in his debut Formula 1 race. 34 Sauber Petronas 10 Jaguar Cosworth reached 47-percent. Tobacco advertising was slowly the safety car! Immediately before the 2004 Chinese Grand Prix, 9 Toyota disappearing from this sport. The European Grand Prix followed and Michael Giorgio Pantano was dropped by the Jordan team and 5 Jordan Ford 1 Minardi Cosworth After Schumacher’s dominance at the first five Schumacher was extremely motivated there – this Timo Glock replaced him for the last three races. Takuma Sato had a tough time overtaking Oliver managed to get a win in a season which was so difference on the grid. Every other championship in Race Pole Winner Panis for third place at the US Grand Prix, but the dominated by Ferrari. He kept his word, but they which I raced in, I came out on top, and that is because GP AUSTRALIA Schumacher Schumacher BAR member eventually passed the Frenchman to were merciful at McLaren and allowed him to cover the cars there are exactly the same. As for the Belgium GP MALAYSIA Schumacher Schumacher become only the second Japanese driver to put himself the most intimate part of his body. The name of the race, I don’t think I learned anything with retiring 3 GP BAHRAIN Schumacher Schumacher onto the podium. The rivals almost col ided. Oliver Belgium race was, however, Toyota’s Ricardo Zonta laps from the end.” GP SAN MARINO Button Schumacher (2) Panis: “I admit it was close. But when you are racing, who managed to crawl up from twentieth place to At the Italian Grand Prix another Brazilian GP SPAIN Schumacher Schumacher you don’t like somebody to overtake you!” fourth, only to retire with car problems 3 laps from the made news. Antonio Pizzonia was replacing Ralf GP MONACO Trulli Trulli GP EUROPE Schumacher Schumacher Bob McKenzie, one of the English journalists, end. Zonta was even holding up the Ferrari of Rubens Schumacher and he did a good job to finish seventh GP CANADA R. Schumacher Schumacher (6) accepted Räikkönen’s win in Belgium with mixed Barrichello for a while. The Toyota driver spoke about (just a second behind Montoya in fifth!) in his first GP USA Barrichello Schumacher (2) emotions. A few races before he said he was to run Formula 1 in general. Ricardo Zonta: “In Formula race at a track where he never raced with a Formula 1 GP FRANCE Alonso Schumacher (2) naked around Silverstone next year if McLaren 1 the technology and not the driver represent the car. The Brazilian driver was called ‘The Jungle Boy’ GP GREAT BRITAIN Räikkönen Schumacher (4) GP GERMANY Schumacher Schumacher GP HUNGARY Schumacher Schumacher GP BELGIUM* Trulli Räikkönen (10) »We used to swim in rivers that ran through the jungle, but we GP ITALY Barrichello Barrichello GP CHINA Barrichello Barrichello were never scared of piranhas. They only bite if you’re bleeding.« GP JAPAN Schumacher Schumacher GP BRAZIL Barrichello Montoya (2) ANTONIO PIZZONIA Most wins Most pole positions and not without a reason. Antonio Pizzonia: “The 13 Schumacher 8 Schumacher place where I’m coming from can be called a town, but 2 Barrichello 4 Barrichello in less than 10 minutes you’re practically in the jungle. 1 Montoya 2 Trulli As boys we used to swim in rivers that ran through it, Trulli 1 Button but we never got scared of piranhas. They only bite if Räikkönen Alonso you’re bleeding.” Räikkönen R. Schumacher The Japanese Grand Prix weekend was somewhat spoiled by a typhoon that caused widespread damage 15 Ferrari 12 Ferrari to parts of Japan and which saw the postponement 1 Renault 3 Renault of qualifying to the morning of race day. Michael Williams 1 Williams Schumacher took his 13th race win in a dry race that McLaren McLaren saw the rain hold off. The Brazilian Grand Prix was BAR won by Juan Pablo Montoya on his last outing for the Williams team scoring their last victory until the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix. In the end Schumacher was on top with 148 points followed by Barrichello on 114 points and Ferrari on top in the Constructors' Championship with 262 points. 2005 FERNANDO ALONSO (Renault) Kimi Räikkönen: “If you have to start every flag in his hand. Schumacher was gaining positions race from 10 placed down on the grid because of rapidly, so the stranger changed his plan. He was still an engine change, you can only dream of winning intending to climb over the wal , but in the victory lap the championship.” That was the Finn’s statement to hand out the flag to the Ferrari driver. The Italians during the mid-season. Drivers who’s engine had to who were beside him were thrilled. And satisfied as be changed, automatically lost 10 places on the grid well, for the stranger knew exactly in which place the and this rule was now on for the second year running. Ferrari drivers were during the race – and this despite Up to the Brazilian Grand Prix where the Drivers’ the fact there were no big screens nearby. When only STANDINGS 133 Fernando Alonso (renault) Championship was decided, it happened three times one Ferrari was left in the race he barely persuaded them 112 Kimi Räikkönen (mclaren mercedes) to Räikkönen. He also had three car failures while it was Barrichello who retired and not Schumacher… 62 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) 60 Juan Pablo Montoya (mclaren mercedes) Fernando Alonso only once didn’t make it to the end The unknown spectator prepared himself well towards 58 Giancarlo Fisichella (renault) of the race (it was in Canada). The World Cup for the end of the race. He rolled the flag during Fernando’s 45 Ralf Schumacher (toyota) 43 Jarno Trulli (toyota) Constructors was decided at the last race. victory lap because he didn’t want it to get torn off of 38 Rubens Barrichello (ferrari) 37 Jenson Button (BAR honda) Ferrari’s domination was over. Michael Schumacher one the spikes on top of the wal . When Schumacher 36 Mark Webber (williams BMW) won only one race, the US Grand Prix where only teams was at the corner about 100 metres away from him he 28 Nick Heidfeld (williams BMW) 24 David Coulthard (red bull cosworth) with Bridgestone tyres participated (Ferrari, Jordan, jumped off the wall and started running towards the 11 Felipe Massa (sauber petronas) Minardi). The Michelin teams were advised not to run track. He raised his right arm in which he held the 9 Jacques Villeneuve (sauber petronas) Christian Klien (red bull cosworth) because of several accidents and these were caused by the track. That same tree to which a marshal strictly Ferrari flag rapidly but noticed he forgot to unroll the 7 Tiago Monteiro (jordan toyota) 6 Alexander Wurz (mclaren mercedes) tyre failures. It was a shameful win for Michael but the forbid climbing on a year before but then climbed on fabrics attached to the stick. Therefore, only half of the 5 Narain Karthikeyan (jordan toyota) German drove superbly with the underpowered Ferrari himself! The track at Variante Alta was separated from Ferrari emblem was seen. Schumacher noticed the fan 4 Christijan Albers (minardi cosworth) Pedro de la Rosa (mclaren mercedes) on couple of occasions – the first time at the beginning the road by a concrete wall and not a fence as usual, so coming ever nearer, leaned forward from his cockpit 3 Patrick Friesacher (minardi cosworth) of the season. It was the San Marino Grand Prix where a Formula 1 fan couldn’t see what was happening in the and pointed his index finger on his right arm towards 2 Antonio Pizzonia (williams BMW) 1 Takuma Sato (BAR honda) he made a mistake in qualifying and had to start the race race just 10 metres from him. The spectator on the tree the stranger, letting him know that he, too, was thrilled. Vitantonio Liuzzi (red bull cosworth) from the back. But he crawled his way back to the front was accompanied by a local fan to which he was trying But the German didn’t stop to take the flag. While he TEAMS with a brilliant tactic. He even managed to threaten to explain (in bad Italian language, of course!) that he was driving inches from the grass he even might have 191 Renault 182 McLaren Mercedes the leader Fernando Alonso, but the Spaniard, who was to invade the track if Schumacher wasn’t able to accelerated a bit. Or maybe the stranger just thought 100 Ferrari won only by couple of car lengths from the German, climb up the order as fast as he wanted. The local fan he accelerated having a thundering Formula 1 engine 88 Toyota 66 Williams BMW managed to hold on. That was seen by all TV viewers. stared at this stranger and smiled while trying to explain so close to him. It looked like the roaring loud sound 38 BAR Honda 34 Red Bull Cosworth What about the incident that the cameras didn’t to his friend on another tree what this ‘crazy’ spectator frightened him. When Schumacher was disappearing 20 Sauber Petronas catch? Not from the corner Variante Alta one of the is planning to do. The stranger had to be a huge Ferrari in the distance the uninvited spectator quickly had a 12 Jordan Toyota 7 Minardi Cosworth spectators watched the race from a nearby tree outside fan, for soon he was holding a medium big Scuderia marshal beside him. The stranger managed to sneak away and run back to the wal . He threw the flag to the captain, who had his hands behind his back, took a that it was because it was the German and not Ferrari Race Pole Winner ground in the process and tried to climb over again. But brief moment then shook his head as if: “Get out of my flag. I asked Michael one more thing. A day or two GP AUSTRALIA Fisichella Fisichella he slipped on the slippery grass which was still a little sight.” prior to the 2005 European Grand Prix the managing GP MALAYSIA Alonso Alonso bit wet because of the overnight rain and the marshal When I asked Michael Schumacher later why he director of the Nürburgring circuit Dr. Walter Kafitz GP BAHRAIN Alonso Alonso managed to grab him and take him to the policeman. didn’t take the flag at the San Marino Grand Prix he from Germany organised a show for the F1 fans and GP SAN MARINO Räikkönen Alonso (2) The latter took the stranger to his superior officer, but answered: “The rules forbid us to take any kind of he did this with the help of his compatriot Patrick GP SPAIN Räikkönen Räikkönen the spectator quickly thought of how he was going to objects into the cockpit during the victory lap.” But Gottesleben. The drivers were supposed to take GP MONACO Räikkönen Räikkönen GP EUROPE Heidfeld Alonso (6) get away with trespassing without a fine. He put up his in 2006 at the European Grand Prix in Nürburgring the fans one lap around the circuit in road vehicles. GP CANADA Button Räikkönen (7) fists and started screaming: “Ferrari, Ferrari!” The tal he did take the flag. Evil tongues were mean and said Every driver confirmed its attendance, only Ferrari’s GP USA Trulli Schumacher (5) GP FRANCE Alonso Alonso GP GREAT BRITAIN Alonso Montoya (3) »If you have to start almost every Grand Prix race from ten GP GERMANY Räikkönen Alonso (3) GP HUNGARY Schumacher Räikkönen (4) GP TURKEY Räikkönen Räikkönen places down on the grid because of an engine change, you can GP ITALY Montoya Montoya GP BELGIUM Montoya Räikkönen (2) only dream of winning the World Championship.« GP BRAZIL* Alonso Montoya (2) GP JAPAN R. Schumacher Räikkönen (17) KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN GP CHINA Alonso Alonso Barrichello and Schumacher were to miss this show. Most wins Most pole positions Michael Schumacher: “Why will I miss the show? I 7 Alonso 6 Alonso really don’t know the details of this event to be honest.” Räikkönen 5 Räikkönen The question upset Ferrari’s PR Luca Colajanni who 3 Montoya 2 Montoya threatened me with a pointing finger. Luca Colajanni: 1 Schumacher 1 Schumacher “Be careful with words. Ferrari will be attending this Fisichella Fisichella R. Schumacher show like all other teams, but we will send our test Trulli driver (Marc Gene) there.” A day later I went further. I Button asked Ferrari’s team leader Jean Todt from France who Heidfeld in Scuderia decides which driver will attend certain events and which won’t. Jean Todt: “I came to the track 10 McLaren 7 Renault only yesterday in the evening. Why don’t you come to 8 Renault McLaren Colajanni later this afternoon and he will give you al 1 Ferrari 2 Toyota 1 Ferrari the necessary information.” So I came. Luca Colajanni: Williams “Unfortunately, both Barrichello and Schumacher will BAR have team meetings at that time.” I saw Schumacher chatting with his wife in the Ferrari motorhome when the event was ongoing. Some much for team meetings… 2006 FERNANDO ALONSO (Renault) I remember an article of my former journalist Hungary. Mark Webber announced he was to leave the colleague Borut Šauta who wrote about how Ferrari Williams team, so this guessing became even bigger. had a good chance to clinch the titles in 2006 and how Webber’s manager was Flavio Briatore who was then Michael Schumacher could’ve finished his Formula Renault’s team leader, so Mark was automatically seen 1 career with another Drivers’ Championship. The in the French team. Alonso would therefore go from German was to stop racing after the last race of the Renault to McLaren, Räikkönen from McLaren to season and the media was informed of this at the Ferrari, and Schumacher from Ferrari to retirement. Italian Grand Prix. Šauta also wrote about how That was the theory of some journalists who after the team from Maranello could’ve added the tiny qualifying in Hungary gathered at the Williams mistakes they made throughout the season and asked motorhome to find out more about Webber’s future. them selves if those were the reason for their loss. And therefore Michael’s as well! But Mark only STANDINGS Schumacher retired in Australian due to his own explained why he was leaving the Williams team and 134 Fernando Alonso (renault) mistake. Then at Monaco the Ferrari driver ruined said nothing about where he was going. Mark Webber: 121 Michael Schumacher (ferrari) 80 Felipe Massa (ferrari) Alonso’s qualifying attempt and was therefore given a “This might turn out as a bad decision, but I lost 25 72 Giancarlo Fisichella (renault) penalty of starting from the back of the grid. And in points this year completely unnecessary. I’m 30 years 65 Kimi Räikkönen (mclaren mercedes) 56 Jenson Button (honda) Hungary he stayed too long on wet tyres and finished old, getting uglier each day, so I had to act.” This was 30 Rubens Barrichello (honda) only eighth. To make things impossible for him his on Saturday. On Tuesday he announced he was going 26 Juan Pablo Montoya (mclaren mercedes) 23 Nick Heidfeld (BMW sauber) car broke down at the worst possible moment – at and another driver summed up maximum amount of to Red Bull and that was quite a surprise. This gave a 20 Ralf Schumacher (toyota) 19 Pedro de la Rosa (mclaren mercedes) the Japanese Grand Prix where he was leading the points but this time it was he who lost out on the title possibility of Schumacher continuing his career as a 15 Jarno Trulli (toyota) race. At the last race in Brazil he had to win and also due to a smaller number of wins. 2006 was also the Grand Prix driver. But the world of motorsports didn’t 14 David Coulthard (red bull ferrari) 7 Mark Webber (williams cosworth) count on Alonso staying out of the points if he was to last season for Jacques Villeneuve. The Canadian was have to wait for an answer a long time, for prior to the Jacques Villeneuve (BMW sauber) secure himself the title. But that didn’t happen. While replaced by the Polish driver Robert Kubica after the Italian Grand Prix the Ferrari sent out a press release 6 Robert Kubica (BMW sauber) 4 Nico Rosberg (williams cosworth) overtaking Fisichella he ran across the Italian’s wing, race in Germany. In 2004 Villeneuve told me: “In the that Michael was to inform the media about his future 2 Christian Klien (red bull ferrari) 1 Vitantonio Liuzzi (toro rosso cosworth) puncturing his right rear tyre and despite a wonderful Sauber team we talk to each other in private and not after the race in Monza. drive from the back of the grid he only managed to through a third person as it was a habit at Team BAR. Monza, then! In the morning of the race day I went TEAMS 206 Renault finish fourth. I don’t think I’m a hard person to work with. Some to the paddock through the Lesmo corner. I stopped by 201 Ferrari Juan Pablo Montoya was out of Formula 1 after the of the negativity came from BAR’s team leader David the chicane Variante della Roggia and saw a couple of 110 McLaren Mercedes 86 Honda race in USA. Juan Pablo Montoya: “Here in Formula 1 Richards in the form of lies, mainly because he was men cutting down trees with a chainsaw. This unusual 36 BMW Sauber 35 Toyota you slightly touch someone’s wheels and already you’re trying to get rid of me.” scene wasn’t new to me, for a year before I saw the same 16 Red Bull Ferrari called an animal.” The Columbian went to NASCAR Serious guessing of whether Michael Schumacher thing during a GP2 event, only this time I had time to 11 Williams Cosworth 1 Toro Rosso Cosworth and later IndyCar where in 2015 (just like in 1999) he would continue racing in 2007 or retire began in investigate. The men seemed familiar and when I saw the one with the bald head, I realised they were the only ‘live’ overtaking manoeuvre. These are a rare thing looks like slow motion, but watching the race live Race Pole Winner ones from the previous season. I took a few more steps for spectators at the track, for you have to stand in the with the cars running at 360kph (which is 100 metres GP BAHRAIN Schumacher Alonso (4) through the forest, getting ever closer to the track, and right position. I saw Kimi Räikkönen pass Jarno Trul i per second), the whole thing lasts only a fraction of a GP MALAYSIA Fisichella Fisichella saw a wooden grandstand getting higher and higher for fourth place there and when that happened the two second. Ricardo Zonta told me in 2004 that drivers GP AUSTRALIA Button Alonso (3) by the minutes. These guys were making themselves guys standing next to me just looked at each other with in Monza start braking 50 metres from the Parabolica GP SAN MARINO Schumacher Schumacher a tribune to get a better look at the track. I mumbled amazement and excitement on their faces. Räikkönen’s corner which means you can gain 10 metres by braking GP EUROPE Alonso Schumacher (2) ‘Only in Italy’ and continued towards the paddock. As move on Trul i passed so quickly, that you just couldn’t just a tenth of a second later. But that also means you GP SPAIN Alonso Alonso GP MONACO Alonso Alonso I passed Serraglio, a mild left-hand corner, I quickly relate the manoeuvre with the ones watching on the have less road available to go round the corner safely! GP GREAT BRITAIN Alonso Alonso found myself at Parabolica where in 2005 I saw the TV screens. From a comfortable sofa such a pass It was Schumacher who won in Monza and that made GP CANADA Alonso Alonso GP USA Schumacher Schumacher GP FRANCE Schumacher Schumacher »In the Sauber team we talk to each other in private and GP GERMANY Räikkönen Schumacher (2) GP HUNGARY Räikkönen Button (14) GP TURKEY Massa Massa not through a third person as it was a habit at Team BAR. I don’t GP ITALY Räikkönen Schumacher (2) GP CHINA Alonso Schumacher (6) think I’m a hard person to work with.« GP JAPAN Massa Alonso (5) GP BRAZIL* Massa Massa JACQUES VILLENEUVE Most wins Most pole positions the Italian fans go berserk – especially because of the 7 Alonso 6 Alonso fact that Schumacher’s main rival in the title race Schumacher 4 Schumacher (Alonso) retired with a car failure. The Spaniard now 2 Massa 3 Massa had only 2 points more than the German in the overall 1 Fisichella Räikkönen standings. Immediately after the race Ferrari’s PR Button 1 Fisichella Stefania Bocchi notified the media that Felipe Massa Button and Kimi Räikkönen represented Scuderia’s driver line- 9 Ferrari 7 Renault up for 2007. The conference room was instantly packed 8 Renault Ferrari with journalists. Schumacher gave a long speech of 1 Honda 3 McLaren why he was to retire from Formula 1, then the ‘hyenas’ 1 Honda bombarded him with questions. The German had a completely different expression on his face compared to the one seen when he was on the podium watching the sea of red flags bellow him. The question before last was asked by James Robert (Motorsport Aktuell). James asked the Ferrari driver what he will miss the most, but Schumacher was understandably tired (in a way!) and gave just a short ‘I apologize’. 2007 KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN (Ferrari) It was hard to believe Schumacher’s words in Monza It started with a sensational ‘novelty’. Formula 2006 when he said he got tired of racing and that he One was to get its first black driver – Lewis Hamilton. didn’t see himself at the same kind of level in the near The Brit won the GP2 series the year before and with future. At the age of 37 he wasn’t that old, for seven this result secured himself a seat at McLaren for the drivers won titles being even older than the German – 2007 Formula 1 season. But Lewis wasn’t the first Michael Andretti (USA), Alain Prost (France), Nigel Hamilton on the Grand Prix scene. Back in the 30’s Mansell (Great Britain), Graham Hill (Great Britain), when the championship wasn’t established yet a Hugh Jack Brabham (Australia), Nino Farina (Italy) and the Hamilton raced, but with no noticeable results. And Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio (the latter at the age then in the 50’s Duncan Hamilton tried his luck as a of 46!). Michael said he knew for a long time which racing driver, and while he failed to score points for the driver would race for Ferrari in 2007. Bob McKenzie championship he managed to win the famous 24 Hours STANDINGS from the Daily Express therefore gave him a question Le Mans race in 1953. Hugh and Duncan weren’t 110 Kimi Räikkönen (ferrari) 109 Lewis Hamilton (mclaren mercedes) if he gave a chance to the thought of competing with related. Fernando Alonso (mclaren mercedes) 94 Felipe Massa (ferrari) Kimi Räikkönen, for the German showed no signs of Lewis became a big star in his first season, an 61 Nick Heidfeld (BMW sauber) getting weaker. Michael Schumacher: “You all saw what even brighter one because of the fact he took over the 39 Robert Kubica (BMW sauber) 30 Heikki Kovalainen (renault) I am able to do. No, I never gave time to that thought. championship lead after the race in Spain. He gave 21 Giancarlo Fisichella (renault) Racing at the highest level requires a lot of energy and it away to another driver only twice: the first time to 20 Nico Rosberg (williams toyota) 14 David Coulthard (red bull renault) motivation, but aging doesn’t help you do the work any thing for me is concentrating on the championship.” Alonso after the European Grand Prix and the second 13 Alexander Wurz (williams toyota) 10 Mark Webber (red bull renault) easier. I don’t think I could be competitive throughout A rumour emerged that Schumacher was actually time to Räikkönen after the season finale at Interlagos 8 Jarno Trulli (toyota) the whole year. I think it’s better to retire from the top squeezed into a corner. Ferrari wanted to keep him, but (Brazil). Lewis quickly experienced the negative side 6 Sebastian Vettel (BMW sauber, toro rosso ferrari) Jenson Button (honda) than from the other end.” If Michael knew all that, why only next to Kimi Räikkönen. Michael was supposedly of having a world champion as his teammate. He soon 5 Ralf Schumacher (toyota) did he say that the decision to retire was hard? Michael trying to buy out Räikkönen’s contract, but that was out stopped talking with him… 4 Takuma Sato (super aguri honda) 3 Vitantonio Liuzzi (toro rosso ferrari) Schmidt from Auto Motor und Sport had quite and of the question for the Ferrari leadership. The Italian Ah, yes, Fernando Alonso! I almost forgot about 1 Adrian Sutil (spyker ferrari) interesting question for the seven time world champion. team could get five Räikkönens’ for the amount that him. Winning the second title and becoming the TEAMS He asked him which thing took away the most energy Scuderia had to give the German. And the Finn was second youngest to do so put Spain upside down. The 204 Ferrari 101 BMW Sauber out of him. Michael Schumacher: “I don’t know and I Michaels’ equal in the minds of experts. So after 11 2005 Brazilian Grand Prix at which he clinched his first 51 Renault really don’t want to think about that too much. You’ll years Schumacher no longer had the right to choose his title was watched by 10 million Spanish viewers – this 33 Williams Toyota 24 Red Bull Renault have to excuse me, but this is not a good time for me, teammate. Bernie Ecclestone feared that Schumacher’s was more than any soccer game of the Spanish national 13 Toyota 8 Toro Rosso Ferrari explaining every little detail about my decision to retire retirement would have a big impact on Formula 1, team or derby between Real Madrid and Barcelona. 6 Honda and answering to these kinds of questions. I hope you’ll especially on TV ratings, but the 2007 season had lots Antonio Labato (Tele 5): “Alonso’s success changed 4 Super Aguri Honda 1 Spyker Ferrari understand that at this moment the most important of ‘material’ to write about and the Brit was happy. the Spanish people entirely. People in coffee shops talk of nothing else than Formula 1 and explain about tactics. If they crashed each other out we’d look like qualifying and ruined Lewis’s last attempt to set a Race Pole Winner team tactics like a not given penalty in soccer.” Alonso idiots.” All good if they tossed the coin of who would good time. Ron Dennis was enraged and wanted to GP AUSTRALIA Räikkönen Räikkönen enjoyed the Number 1 status while he was driving for run with a lighter fuel load in qualifying. Let’s recap: speak to Alonso immediately after qualifying. But the GP MALAYSIA Massa Alonso (2) Flavio Briatore at Renault, but all that changed for from 2003 the drivers had to qualify with cars already Spaniard was deaf for Dennis’s words and just kept GP BAHRAIN Massa Massa him with the arrival to McLaren. The first signs that filled with the amount of fuel ready for the race; two waving to fans, for he was on pole. Well, at least that’s GP SPAIN Massa Massa Hamilton and Alonso would soon jump into each drivers couldn’t have the same load because that would what he thought. The commissars gave him a penalty, GP MONACO Alonso Alonso others hair were seen at the Monaco Grand Prix. Ron mean that they would have to make their pit-stops at putting him five places lower on the grid, and the GP CANADA Hamilton Hamilton GP USA Hamilton Hamilton Dennis ordered his drivers racing in first and second the same time. McLaren driver finished the race in fourth position. GP FRANCE Massa Räikkönen (3) place not to fight each other, and Hamilton wasn’t The peace at McLaren was finally over at the Alonso later explained he held up Hamilton because GP GREAT BRITAIN Hamilton Räikkönen (2) pleased. McLaren found itself under investigation. Ron Hungarian Grand Prix. Alonso deliberately held prior to that the Brit ignored team orders of moving GP GERMANY Räikkönen Alonso (2) Dennis: “We didn’t use team orders, we used team up Hamilton in the pits in the dying moments of aside for the Spaniard. As it turned out, Alonso lost the GP HUNGARY Hamilton Hamilton GP TURKEY Massa Massa GP ITALY Alonso Alonso GP BELGIUM Räikkönen Räikkönen »Racing at the highest lever requires a lot of energy and GP JAPAN Hamilton Hamilton GP CHINA Hamilton Räikkönen (2) motivation, but aging doesn’t help you do the work any easier.« GP BRAZIL* Massa Räikkönen (3) MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Most wins Most pole positions 6 Räikkönen 6 Hamilton championship due to this race. It was the second blow 4 Hamilton Massa for the British team, for during the summer it had an Alonso 3 Räikkönen affair because of which they lost the World Cup for 3 Massa 2 Alonso Constructors as well. Mike Coughlan, chief designer at McLaren, received valuable technical data about 9 Ferrari 9 Ferrari 8 McLaren 8 McLaren Ferrari’s racing car from Nigel Stepney who was once Michael Schumacher’s main engineer. The FIA took away all of McLaren’s 218 points, but the team was allowed to retain Hamilton’s and Alonso’s wins. The first three drivers in the championship standings were split by 7 points going into the season finale in Brazil. Lewis Hamilton had 107 points, followed by Fernando Alonso (104) and Kimi Räikkönen (100). The latter won with the help of Felipe Massa who let the Finn in front. And because the McLaren drivers only managed a third and seventh place, the Finn – somewhat surprisingly – won the championship. 2008 LEWIS HAMILTON (McLaren Mercedes) The forecast before the start of the 2008 season race. It was in Spain that Jenson Button scored his only was that Felipe Massa from Brazil will be the new points of the season. Only 4 drivers (and the latter Formula 1 champion. It almost came true. But if we were from teams Force India and Super Aguri) finished took into consideration the old points scoring system worse than the Brit (both of these teams failed to score (10-6-4-3-2-1) then Felipe would’ve had 3 points more points). than the Brit Lewis Hamilton (83:80) and become In Canada, where Coulthard stood on the podium champion. Massa had more wins than Hamilton (the for the last time in his career, team BMW-Sauber latter became the then youngest champion), but prior celebrated its first win. It was also the first 1-2 for to 2008 this happened 10 times! The Brazilian was less the Bavarian-Swiss partnership, for Robert Kubica unfortunate with car failures compared to 2007, but he was joined by Nick Heidfeld. Kubica also took over was still much more unlucky than the Brit. the championship lead, becoming the third one after The FIA banned traction control and launch Hamilton and Räikkönen. Not for long though. After STANDINGS control. Every team had to use standard electronics. the next competition Massa was on top, and from then 98 Lewis Hamilton (mclaren mercedes) 97 Felipe Massa (ferrari) The FIA president Max Mosley came up with an on the Brazilian became Hamilton’s strongest rival. 75 Kimi Räikkönen (ferrari) idea to freeze engine development for 10 years, but After Hungary, where the favourites retired from Robert Kubica (BMW sauber) 61 Fernando Alonso (renault) in the end they settled for 5 years. An engine change the race one by one and Kovalainen celebrated his 60 Nick Heidfeld (BMW sauber) no longer meant that a driver had to start from 10 first win, Formula 1 found itself at a new venue. The 53 Heikki Kovalainen (mclaren mercedes) 35 Sebastian Vettel (toro rosso ferrari) places further on the starting grid, and the fuel had (he was the multiple Champ Car champion). European Grand Prix was organised on the streets of 31 Jarno Trulli (toyota) 25 Timo Glock (toyota) to have 5.75 percent of biological material. Gearbox Ferrari and McLaren were again the teams to Valencia, but the race wasn’t filled with excitement 21 Mark Webber (red bull renault) had to withstand the length of four Grand Prix events, beat while BMW-Sauber and Renault threatened the as many said it would be. Even worse, the local hero 19 Nelsinho Piquet (renault) 17 Nico Rosberg (williams toyota) changing it would mean a worse starting position frontrunners much more than in 2007. The overall Fernando Alonso retired from the race soon after the 11 Rubens Barrichello (honda) (plus 5 places!). Testing was limited to 30 thousand standings saw no less than 6 changes on top, and start, so Spanish spectators didn’t get the same thrills 9 Kazuki Nakajima (williams toyota) 8 David Coulthard (red bull renault) kilometres per team. Teams weren’t allowed to have Hamilton basically secured himself the title at the first they experienced in Barcelona. 4 Sebastien Bourdais (toro rosso ferrari) 3 Jenson Button (honda) spear cars anymore. The only tyre supplier Bridgestone race – for from 1996 to 2008 it only once happened In Belgium the first to cross the finish line was prolonged its contract to the year 2010. that a driver without a pole position or a win at the first Lewis Hamilton, but he got a time penalty and was TEAMS 172 Ferrari David Coulthard retired from Formula 1 at the race of the season didn’t become a world champion at third in the end. A few laps before the chequered flag 151 McLaren Mercedes end of the season after 14 years and 247 races – up to the end of the year. he cut the chicane while overtaking Kimi Räikkönen. 135 BMW Sauber 80 Renault that point only Schumacher, Patrese and Barrichello During the race in Spain the Finn Heikki Hamilton’s father and the British public were outraged, 56 Toyota 39 Toro Rosso Ferrari raced in more Grand Prix events. The rookies were Kovalainen flew off track and crashed his McLaren. He for Lewis let Kimi in front again on the straight 29 Red Bull Renault Nelsinho Piquet (son of the former Formula 1 had to be checked in the hospital, but luckily Heikki (and this was within the rules), only to pass him 26 Williams Toyota 14 Honda champion Nelson) and Sebastian Bourdais from France returned behind a wheel of a racing car at the next immediately at the next corner. Well, the rules stated that a driver immediately had to let the other one It was raining throughout the whole weekend of the safety car was best used by the Spaniard Fernando Race Pole Winner in front, while Lewis drove 5 seconds alongside the the Italian Grand Prix which was won by the German Alonso who also won the Japanese Grand Prix two VN AUSTRALIA Hamilton Hamilton Ferrari driver and put himself behind Kimi at the last racing driver Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso Ferrari) who weeks later. During the Singapore Grand Prix Ferrari’s VN MALAYSIA Massa Räikkönen (2) moment. The FIA made an end to the interpretation became the youngest winner in Formula One history. team made a mistake in the pits, letting Massa drive VN BAHRAIN Kubica Massa (2) of this rule. From the next race onwards a driver who On the streets of Singapore Formula 1 World away before the fuel rig was detached and the Brazilian VN SPAIN Räikkönen Räikkönen let his rival in front on the straight wasn’t allowed to Championship celebrated its 800th Grand Prix. It driver finished thirteenth. As it turned out later it was VN TURKEY Massa Massa overtake until they were past the next corner. was also the first night race in this sport. The arrival of this mistake that cost him the championship title. VN MONACO Massa Hamilton (3) VN CANADA Hamilton Kubica (2) VN FRANCE Räikkönen Massa (2) VN GREAT BRITAIN Kovalainen Hamilton (4) »I was already at the third corner, when they told me VN GERMANY Hamilton Hamilton VN HUNGARY Hamilton Kovalainen (2) Hamilton passed Glock and became champion. Lewis deserved VN EUROPE Massa Massa VN BELGIUM Hamilton Massa (2) VN ITALY Vettel Vettel this championship because he was the driver with most points. We VN SINGAPORE Massa Alonso (15) VN JAPAN Hamilton Alonso (4) at least clinched the World Cup for Constructors.« VN CHINA Hamilton Hamilton VN BRAZIL* Massa Massa FELIPE MASSA Most wins Most pole positions Massa trailed Hamilton by 7 points going into 6 Massa 7 Hamilton the season finale at Brazil. To win the title the Ferrari 5 Hamilton 6 Massa driver had to win and hope that Hamilton wouldn’t 2 Räikkönen 2 Räikkönen finish higher than sixth. But just a few 100 metres from Alonso 1 Kubica the chequered flag the McLaren driver found himself 1 Kubica Kovalainen in that place! It was raining heavily towards the end Kovalainen Vettel Vettel and some of the commentators were confused by the German Timo Glock who decided not to pit for wet 8 Ferrari 8 Ferrari tyres. The Toyota driver wanted to finish on slicks and 6 McLaren McLaren going into the last lap he was driving in fifth place 18 2 Renault 1 BMW-Sauber seconds ahead of Hamilton. But he was getting slower 1 BMW-Sauber Toro Rosso and slower by the seconds. When Massa crossed the Toro Rosso finish line the people in the Ferrari garage went berserk with joy, but they were shocked when they looked at the TV screen again. In that moment Hamilton passed Glock going up the start-finish line. The coverage director switched the cameras to the McLaren garage where the team started celebrating. 2009 JENSON BUTTON (Brawn Mercedes) It was in the BAR motorhome at the San Marino season by Team BrawnGP was hidden in the form Grand in 2005 when I had my only interview with of a controversial diffuser which allowed more Jenson Button. After a successful 2004 season 2005 down-force for Button and Barrichello. Other proved to be a difficult year for the young Brit. teams quickly appealed. Ross Brawn: “Before the Button failed to score points at the first three races. season started I invited all team leaders to a meeting I asked him if this was due to the affair in 2004 concerning our novelty, but nobody even believed when he signed a contract with Team Williams and we would be on the grid at the first race. But now the BAR team manager David Richards found it to that we are winning, all of them complain!” The FIA be illegal. I made a mistake when pronouncing the overruled Ferrari’s, Renault’s and BMW-Sauber’s names. I said the Richard-Williams affair instead of appeal during winter testing. Richards-Williams. Tracy Novak, BAR’s PR, quickly The novelty of the 2009 season was the KERS STANDINGS intervened and said I should stick to racing questions system (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), a device 95 Jenson Button (brawn mercedes) 84 Sebastian Vettel (red bull renault) only. There was a misunderstanding and while I was which stored energy released under braking. A 77 Rubens Barrichello (brawn mercedes) 69,5 Mark Webber (red bull renault) trying to solve it with her, Jenson calmly and quietly driver simply pushed a button on his steering 49 Lewis Hamilton (mclaren mercedes) added: “I got a friend called Richard Williams.” Yes, wheel and a few extra horsepower came from a 48 Kimi Räikkönen (ferrari) 34,5 Nico Rosberg (williams toyota) Button was one of ‘those’ Englishman – those with special electromotor to give him more speed while 32,5 Jarno Trulli (toyota) an amazing sense of humour. overtaking his competitor on a straight. 26 Fernando Alonso (renault) 24 Timo Glock (toyota) Jenson started racing relatively late in his life, at a second later, but it has to be underlined that TV After Button’s and Brawn’s runaway at the first 22 Felipe Massa (ferrari) Heikki Kovalainen (mclaren mercedes) the age of 14. “But it was clear from the start he was viewers do not know in what kind of condition are seven races Team Red Bull woke up and started the 19 Nick Heidfeld (BMW sauber) a natural,” said Franci Jerančič, the only Slovenian their tyres, brakes, etc. He finished third in the end. rundown. Had it not been for Vettel’s engine failures 17 Robert Kubica (BMW sauber) 8 Giancarlo Fisichella (force india mercedes, ferrari) to ever test a Formula 1 car. Back in 2000 when Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello didn’t then the season might have ended in a different way. 6 Sebastien Buemi (toro rosso ferrari) Button raced in his debut season the young Brit even know if they would be racing in 2009. Honda Then McLaren pulled itself out the crisis (Hamilton 5 Adrian Sutil (force india mercedes) 3 Kamui Kobayashi (toyota) scored points in his second Grand Prix race. He withdrew from the sport at the end of 2008 and and Kovalainen raced with a B-spec car from the 2 Sebastien Bourdais (toro rosso ferrari) was sixth and with this result he became the then the team was bought in the last minute by Ross Hungarian Grand Prix onwards), soon followed by TEAMS youngest driver to score championship points. This Brawn. And even though Brawn co-created all of Ferrari which won in Belgium with Kimi Räikkönen. 172 Brawn Mercedes 153,5 Red Bull Renault was in Brazil where six years later he pulled off one Schumacher’s successes, nobody counted on his team But it wasn’t easy for the Finn! Giancarlo Fisichella 71 McLaren Mercedes of his best overtaking manoeuvres. Going up the literally destroying its rivals at the first couple of in the Force India had a race of his career, getting a 70 Ferrari 59,5 Toyota start finish line Jenson started to catch up Kimi races. Ross’s team used the same engines as McLaren, sensational pole position on Saturday, and finishing 36 BMW Sauber 34,5 Williams Toyota Räikkönen. He was way back, but still he decided to but still Mercedes decided not to market their brand just a couple of car lengths behind the Ferrari driver 26 Renault pass the Finn on the inside going into the first corner. on Brawn’s racing cars. on Sunday. Giancarlo’s best qualifying result until 13 Force India Mercedes 8 Toro Rosso Ferrari Drivers can gain up to 50 metres with braking half One of the reasons for such a good start to the then was a thirteenth place, so the team rushed to explain that in Belgium Fisichella raced with a from Rubens Barrichello's car in front of him. This of trial laps in the Ferrari. It was rumoured he would Race Pole Winner modified version of the car which surprised even them happened at more than 200kph! Massa suffered a be replaced by Michael Schumacher, but the German GP AUSTRALIA Button Button let alone the world’s public. scull fracture and after being operated in the hospital refused this possibility due to neck pain which was GP MALAYSIA Button Button At the Hungarian Grand Prix Formula 1 fans he had to be put in an artificial coma for 24 hours. It a consequence of a motorcycling accident back in GP CHINA Vettel Vettel witnessed the worst accident in almost 15 years – was the end of the season for the Ferrari driver, but he February. So Ferrari decided to finally give a chance GP BAHRAIN Trulli Button (4) basically since Häkkinen’s crash in Australia back in did recover to the point that he waved the chequered to their long time test driver Luca Badoer. The latter GP SPAIN Button Button 1995. Felipe Massa was hit at the helmet by a spring flag at the Brazilian Grand Prix and drove a couple competed in two races, but prior to the Italian Grand GP MONACO Button Button GP TURKEY Vettel Button (2) GP GREAT BRITAIN Vettel Vettel GP GERMANY Webber Webber »Before the season started I invited all team leaders to a meeting GP HUNGARY Alonso Hamilton (4) GP EUROPE Hamilton Barrichello (3) concerning our novelty but nobody even believed GP BELGIUM Fisichella Räikkönen (6) GP ITALY Hamilton Barrichello (5) GP SINGAPORE Hamilton Hamilton we would be on the grid at the first race. But now that we are GP JAPAN Vettel Vettel GP BRAZIL* Barrichello Webber (2) winning, all of them complain.« GP ABU DHABI Hamilton Vettel (2) ROSS BRAWN Most wins Most pole positions 6 Button 4 Button Prix the Italian had to give way to Giancarlo Fisichella 4 Vettel Vettel who raced alongside Kimi Räikkönen until the end 2 Barrichello Hamilton of the season. In the meantime Formula 1 was shaken Webber 1 Barrichello with another affair. The media found out that at the Hamilton Webber 2008 Singapore Grand Prix Nelsinho Piquet (Renault) 1 Räikkönen Trulli Alonso deliberately crashed at a part of the track where there Fisichella were no cranes to lift the wreckage, consequently bringing the safety car out of the pits and all of this was 8 Brawn 5 Brawn cleverly used by Fernando Alonso. Piquet was ordered 6 Red Bull Red Bull to do that and the order came from Renault’s team 2 McLaren 4 McLaren leadership (its managing director, Flavio Briatore and its 1 Ferrari 1 Toyota executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, soon left Renault Force India the team). The last race of the championship was in Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates became the 30th country to host a Grand Prix event. The track became an architectual masterpiece, its most beutiful feature was a hotel in the shape of a whale. 2010 SEBASTIAN VETTEL (Red Bull Renault) At the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi four the majority thought. At the end of the 2012 season drivers still counted on winning the championship – Michael even received a T-shirt with a sign ‘Not bad this happened for the first time in Formula 1 history. for a 43-yearold’ on it. Fernando Alonso had the most points going into the The reigning world champion Jenson Button season finale (246), followed by Mark Webber (238), moved from Brawn to McLaren and this was the right Sebastian Vettel (231) and Lewis Hamilton (222). decision. The Brit managed to get some remarkable There were numerous calculations of which driver results in the next couple of years. Button was even needed this or that result to crown himself as the new second in the overall standings in 2011 while at his world champion. Alonso needed only a fourth place former team (now Mercedes) the drivers rarely stood in case of Vettel’s win, but during the race the Spaniard on the podium. got stuck behind the Russian Vitaly Petrov. “We are The Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone STANDINGS aware you are driving at the limit, but it is crucial to announced it was to withdraw from the sport at the 256 Sebastian Vettel (red bull renault) pass Petrov,” was the radio massage that Fernando end of the season, for Pirelli from Italy was coming 252 Fernando Alonso (ferrari) 242 Mark Webber (red bull renault) heard from Ferrari’s pit-wal . Alonso finished behind into Formula 1 in 2011. Franci Jerančič: “Formula 240 Lewis Hamilton (mclaren mercedes) the Russian who was sixth, and seventh place was 1 will miss Bridgestone badly.” The Slovenian TV 214 Jenson Button (mclaren mercedes) 144 Felipe Massa (ferrari) Spaniard’s worst result in the second part of the commentator was right, for complaints flew at Pirelli 142 Nico Rosberg (mercedes) season, for before that he managed to get 3 wins and from all sides. Even the fans were unhappy with the 136 Robert Kubica (renault) 72 Michael Schumacher (mercedes) 2 third places. The Ferrari driver was critical of Petrov was with Ferrari and we still have a good relationship. Italian supplier, for in their minds they watched too 47 Rubens Barrichello (williams cosworth) Adrian Sutil (force india mercedes) (in Alonso’s opinion the Renault driver should’ve But now we we’ll be rivals, and as you know, there many pit-stops. 32 Kamui Kobajaši (sauber ferrari) moved), but the TV commentators kept repeating is no friendship on track. I’m glad I have the same A new points scoring system was to replace the old 27 Vitalij Petrov (renault) 22 Nico Hülkenberg (williams cosworth) that Fernando should’ve blamed himself. support from the fans as before. The combination 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1. The new one had two more drivers 21 Vitantonio Liuzzi (force india mercedes) The season began without Kimi Räikkönen. Mercedes-Ross Brawn seems strong and I think it amongst the points which were now distributed as 8 Sebastien Buemi (toro rosso ferrari) 6 Pedro de la Rosa (sauber ferrari) The Finn decided to race in the World Rally will be fun.” The seven time world champion signed a followed: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1. The winner Nick Heidfeld (sauber ferrari) 5 Jaime Alguersuari (toro rosso ferrari) Championship where he stayed for two years. The three-year contract with Mercedes and his best result was much happier with his points tally than before surprise of the century was Michael Schumacher’s during those three years was a third place at the 2012 because the margin between him and the second TEAMS 498 Red Bull Renault decision to return to Formula 1 at the age of 41. The European Grand Prix in Valencia. During those three placed man was now much bigger. Vettel would win 454 McLaren Mercedes German joined Mercedes which was basically formed seasons with the Stuttgart based team Schumacher the championship even with the old points scoring 396 Ferrari 214 Mercedes out of the winning Brawn team, so expectations were always found himself behind his teammate Nico system – he would have 84 points. Alonso would’ve 163 Renault 69 Williams Cosworth high. Michael Schumacher: “I signed my first racing Rosberg in the overall standings. Despite many finished second (78), only Webber (75) and Hamilton 68 Force India Mercedes contract with Mercedes 20 years ago when I was remarks that he shouldn’t have returned to the sport (76) would swap places. 44 Sauber Ferrari 13 Toro Rosso Ferrari racing with their sports cars. Of course, for 14 years I experts believed the German didn’t race as bad as For the first time in Formula One's history the percentage of non-European races was bigger than one by one, even Bernd Mayländer who drove the “Why does this always happen to me?” To make Race Pole Winner that of Grand Prix events held in Europe, and for the safety car failed to stay on the slippery surface on one things worse, he crashed with his teammate Mark GP BAHRAIN Vettel Alonso (3) first time South Korea hosted a Grand Prix event. The occasion. Webber in Turkey and had to retire once more. GP AUSTRALIA Vettel Button (4) latter was almost cancelled due to political tensions Sebastian Vettel who debuted in 2007 became He actually led the championship only after the GP MALAYSIA Webber Vettel (3) with the neighbouring North Korea. Then work on the youngest Formula 1 champion – he was 23 years last race of the season – even Keke Rosberg and GP CHINA Vettel Button (5) the track fell behind schedule. A FIA permit was given old. In this ‘category’ he beat Lewis Hamilton (the Mike Hawthorn who won the championships GP SPAIN Webber Webber out only two weeks prior to the event. Meanwhile the Brit held the record for 2 years) by 166 days. But in 1982 and 1958 (with only one Grand Prix GP MONACO Webber Webber GP TURKEY Webber Hamilton (2) designer of the track Hermann Tilke forecasted lots at first it didn’t look all that good for Vettel. After win in the entire season!) managed to lead in GP CANADA Hamilton Hamilton of car handling by the drivers because the asphalt had the race in Australia (and this was the second race the overall standings more times than Sebastian. GP EUROPE Vettel Vettel been fully laid down only a few days before the start of he led and had to retire because of a car failure) It was Alonso that initially led the 2010 season. GP GREAT BRITAIN Vettel Webber (2) the competition. He was right, drivers went off track he threw his helmet to the ground and yelled out: Then Felipe Massa (the Brazilian recovered well GP GERMANY Vettel Alonso (2) GP HUNGARY Vettel Webber (2) GP BELGIUM Webber Hamilton (2) GP ITALY Alonso Alonso »I woke up in the morning trying not to think too much. Usually GP SINGAPORE Alonso Alonso GP JAPAN Vettel Vettel something goes wrong if you do that. I focued on my work.« GP SOUTH KOREA Vettel Alonso (3) GP BRAZIL Hülkenberg Vettel (2) SEBASTIAN VETTEL GP ABU DHABI* Vettel Vettel after his accident in Hungary the year before) took Most wins Most pole positions over after race 3. Then Button was first, followed 5 Vettel 10 Vettel by Webber, Hamilton and Webber again. And so Alonso 5 Webber on. Vettel barely managed to thank his team in 4 Webber 2 Alonso his victory lap in Abu Dhabi, for he was crying his 3 Hamilton 1 Hamilton heart out. Sebastian Vettel: “I’m speechless. I don’t 2 Button Hülkenberg really know what to say in these sorts of moments. 9 Red Bull 15 Red Bull The season was long and hard, both for me and the 5 McLaren 2 Ferrari team. We always believed in ourselves. Today is a Ferrari 1 McLaren special day. I woke up in the morning trying not Williams to think too much because usually something goes wrong if you do that. I focused on my work, avoided unnecessary conversations and it worked. When I crossed the finish line I got a radio message that everything looks good, but that I would have to wait for everybody to finish the race. I though: ‘What does that mean?’ I wasn’t paying attention to the big screens. Then I heard: ‘You are World Champion!’” 2011 SEBASTIAN VETTEL (Red Bull Renault) The German ace Sebastian Vettel won his 2011 three time world champion Ayrton Senna. Bruno had title in a much easier way than the one from the worse results than his teammate Vitaly Petrov, yet previous year. It was all over a couple of races before Frank Williams believed he was the better driver and the end of the season. He wasn’t the first one with offered the Brazilian a seat for the 2012 season. Frank such a story. Jack Brabham from Australia had Williams: “Of course, the story has a romantic touch the same one in 1959-1960, Germany’s Michael to it, for we all wonder if he is as good as his uncle. It Schumacher in 1994-1995, and so on. Schumacher would be grand, if he is, for we need the results. But even repeated the thing while driving at Ferrari, for firstly, I would like to see him surprise us al .” in 2000 it was really tough for him whereas in 2001 Rubens Barrichello retired at the end of the season he became champion with 4 races to go. So, some as a record holder in the number of Grand Prix starts drivers get far more relaxed after winning the first (320). Despite a long career he didn’t stop racing, for STANDINGS title and become even faster, tougher opponents next in then next season he was already a member of the 392 Sebastian Vettel (red bull renault) year. American series IndyCar. Barrichello was the first 270 Jenson Button (mclaren mercedes) 258 Mark Webber (red bull renault) Sebastian’s margin of 122 points in the overall driver in the ‘300’ club (that was in 2010), the second 257 Fernando Alonso (ferrari) standings became the highest in Formula 1 history. one was Michael Schumacher at the end of 2012, 227 Lewis Hamilton (mclaren mercedes) 118 Felipe Massa (ferrari) But it has to be underlined that with the old points and the third Jenson Button at the end of 2016 (with 89 Nico Rosberg (mercedes) scoring system 10-6-4-3-2-1 Jenson Button would’ve Fernando Alonso in fourth place having 274 starts at 76 Michael Schumacher (mercedes) 42 Adrian Sutil (force india mercedes) trailed the German ‘only’ by 58 points – and this session, but the Austrians got a better percentage the same time as Button). 37 Vitalij Petrov (renault) 34 Nick Heidfeld (renault) is less than Schumacher’s over Barrichello in 2002 because of a higher number of races. At the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne 30 Kamui Kobajaši (sauber ferrari) (67 points). Vettel set a new record in the category In the overall standings the first seven names Red Bul ’s Sebastian Vettel beat Lewis Hamilton in 27 Paul di Resta (force india mercedes) 26 Jaime Alguersuari (toro rosso ferrari) of most pole positions in a season previously held stayed the same as in 2010. Fernando Alonso and qualifying by 8 tenths of a second and later won the 15 Sebastien Buemi (toro rosso ferrari) by Nigel Mansell. The German got one more than Lewis Hamilton had a slightly worse season than in race. These 8 tenths are ‘important’ because of a study 14 Sergio Perez (sauber ferrari) 4 Rubens Barrichello (williams cosworth) the Brit (15:14) and celebrated this achievement in 2010 while Jenson advanced by three places. made two years later by one of the many journalist 2 Bruno Senna (renault) 1 Pastor Maldonado (williams cosworth) a quite funny way: sticking an artificial mustache The Polish driver Robert Kubica failed to of this sport. The latter found out that 10 kilograms under his nose (this was Mansell’s trademark look in start the season due to serious injuries sustained of extra fuel meant up to 0.4 seconds slower times. TEAMS 650 Red Bull Renault the time of his racing career). But it has to be written in a horrifying accident in the World Rally And because Vettel had 15 kilograms less than his 497 McLaren Mercedes that Vettel’s record was set in a season of 19 races Championship. He was replaced by the German ace tall teammate Mark Webber, the ambitious journalist 375 Ferrari 165 Mercedes while Mansell raced in a year which only had 16 Nick Heidfeld, one of the best drivers without a win sent out a following question to all the teams: should 73 Renault 69 Force India Mercedes Grand Prix events. according to some Formula 1 experts. Then Heidfeld Formula 1, like boxing, have different categories or 44 Sauber Ferrari Just like Team McLaren back in 1988 the Red himself was replaced at the Belgian Grand Prix, and better yet rules which would have some restrictions for 41 Toro Rosso Ferrari 5 Williams Cosworth Bull team only once failed to win the qualifying by what a name – Bruno Senna, the nephew of the the lighter and smaller drivers? The journalist didn’t get a single answer. It was clear to him that in this sport it he felt too weak during practice sessions, and had to be was stopped due to heavy rain for 2 hours on lap 25, Race Pole Winner was the drivers who barely managed 160 cm in height replaced by Pedro de la Rosa. Then on Sunday Vitaly and after the restart only a narrow line on which the GP AUSTRALIA Vettel Vettel and 60 kilograms in weight that were in a significant Petrov got hurt in a pile-up of five racing cars, the drivers raced dried out. After his penalty Button raced GP MALAYSIA Vettel Vettel advantage. Vettel, Alonso, Villeneuve, Prost, Lauda, Russian was even unconscious for a while. in lower than twentieth place, but he gained positions GP CHINA Vettel Hamilton (3) Andretti … all of them short and light! An equally dangerous race, but luckily without rapidly. Four laps from the end he overtook Mark GP TURKEY Vettel Vettel One of the more dangerous Grand Prix races injuries, took place at Montreal where it was raining Webber and Michael Schumacher, and only the leading GP SPAIN Webber Vettel (2) took place at Monaco where they had to hospitalize heavily. In the opening laps teammates Jenson Button Vettel stayed ahead of him. Button’s times suggested GP MONACO Vettel Vettel GP CANADA Vettel Button (7) two drivers. First Sergio Perez crashed heavily at the and Lewis Hamilton crashed into each other, and to he would catch the German in the last lap and funny GP EUROPE Vettel Vettel Nouvelle chicane during qualifying, sustaining a brain make things worse for the McLaren team Jenson got a enough it was in the last lap that Vettel made a mistake, GP GREAT BRITAIN Webber Alonso (3) concussion in the process. The Mexican driver wasn’t drive-through penalty for driving too fast behind the skid off the dried out line and lost the win to Button. GP GERMANY Webber Hamilton (2) cleared for the race, even at the next event in Canada safety car during the removal of Lewis’s car. The race Jenson Button: “I couldn’t see anything when Lewis GP HUNGARY Vettel Button (3) GP BELGIUM Vettel Vettel GP ITALY Vettel Vettel GP SINGAPORE Vettel Vettel »The realibility of the car was amazing this season. With the GP JAPAN* Vettel Button (2) GP SOUTH KOREA Hamilton Vettel (2) exception of the race in Italy we basically didn’t have a failure.« GP INDIA Vettel Vettel GP ABU DHABI Vettel Hamilton (2) MARK WEBBER GP BRAZIL Vettel Webber (2) was right next to me. I could only see a cloud of water Most wins Most pole positions spray in my rear view mirrors, and this is why we 11 Vettel 15 Vettel got tangled up. But these things happen and I have 3 Button 3 Webber already apologized to him. It was an incredible race, Hamilton 1 Hamilton and even if I wouldn’t have won, I wouldn’t have been 1 Webber disappointed, for I enjoyed every second of it. This is Alonso probably my best win ever.” 12 Red Bull 18 Red Bull Red Bull won the World Cup for Constructors 6 McLaren 1 McLaren at the South Korean Grand Prix. Mark Webber: 1 Ferrari “This day belongs to the team. The title … it’s a big thing – especially if you win it two years in a row. The reliability of the car was amazing this season. With the exception of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza we basically didn’t have a failure. It has really been an incredible year.” Team Red Bull proved to everybody that 2010 wasn't just a 'one hit wonder' and that in the future it would take a lot to beat the Austrians. 2012 SEBASTIAN VETTEL (Red Bull Renault) “Okay, Kimi, the driver behind you is Alonso Adrian Sutil was back in Formula 1. Sutil was who is down by 5 seconds. I will inform you about involved in an incident with Genii Capital CEO the gap between you and him and let you know and owner of the Lotus F1 team Eric Lux in a what times he is setting.” This was the radio massage nightclub in Shanghai in 2011. Sutil struck Lux to Kimi Räikkönen during the Abu Dhabi Grand with a champagne glass, causing a wound in his neck Prix. Kimi Räikkönen replied: “Just leave me alone, which required 24 stitches. Adrian was convicted I know what I’m doing!” The Finn was then asked of the charge on 31st January 2012, and received an to worm his tyres while he was driving behind the 18-month suspended prison sentence, along with a safety car. Kimi Räikkönen: “Yes, yes, yes, yes, I’ve €200,000 fine. been doing that already, you don’t have to remind The championship had a record number of races me every 10 seconds.” The story continued on the (20). The US Grand Prix was back, this time on a podium where the interviews with the first three new track in Texas. Also, the Bahrain Grand Prix STANDINGS drivers were conducted (this was a novelty in 2012). was back after a year of absence from the calendar, 281 Sebastian Vettel (red bull renault) 278 Fernando Alonso (ferrari) David Coulthard was put to run the interviews in but the race was again threatened by the protests 207 Kimi Räikkönen (lotus renault) Abu Dhabi and the Scot asked Kimi how he felt to there. The people of Bahrain were protesting against 190 Lewis Hamilton (mclaren mercedes) 188 Jenson Button (mclaren mercedes) win for the first time since 2009. The Finn answered: their government. 179 Mark Webber (red bull renault) “It was nothing special.” The fans immediately Williams announced that they would be using 122 Felipe Massa (ferrari) 96 Romain Grosjean (lotus renault) reacted, so David persisted he should explain them 2003) and was third in the overall standings. This Renault engines for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, 93 Nico Rosberg (mercedes) 66 Sergio Perez (sauber ferrari) the emotions that drivers have while winning a consequently pushed Nico Rosberg out of the ‘top with an option to use Renault engines again in 2014 63 Nico Hülkenberg (force india mercedes) Grand Prix race. Kimi Räikkönen added: “Well, the 7’ to which F1 got used to in 2010 and 2011 (Vettel, under the next generation of engine regulations. 60 Kamui Kobajaši (sauber ferrari) 49 Michael Schumacher (mercedes) last time you were giving me sh*t for not smiling Hamilton, Button, Alonso, Webber and Massa Renault had previously supplied engines to Williams 46 Paul di Resta (force india mercedes) enough, so…” The Lotus driver made the fans smile. ‘accompanied’ Rosberg). from 1989 to 1997, when the team won four 45 Pastor Maldonado (williams renault) 31 Bruno Senna (williams renault) Räikkönen’s number of fans probably rose after The 2012 season began with no less than six world World Drivers' Championships and five World 16 Jean-Eric Vergne (toro rosso ferrari) 10 Daniel Ricciardo (toro rosso ferrari) this race, but he certainly made some people laugh champions: Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Lewis Constructors' Championships. Following their in this, for many too sterile, motor racing category. Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso and worst season in their thirty-year history in which TEAMS 460 Red Bull Renault His return to Formula 1 with Team Lotus (the Michael Schumacher. This was a new record since they finished ninth in the World Constructors' 400 Ferrari latter didn’t have anything in common with the 1970 when 5 took part: Jackie Stewart, Graham Championship with just five points the team 378 McLaren Mercedes 303 Lotus Renault Lotus team from the previous century) was a very Hill, Denny Hulme, John Surtees and Jack Brabham. underwent a technical review, employing former 142 Mercedes 126 Sauber Ferrari successful one. In Great Britain Kimi surpassed Compared to 1970 the champions in 2012 later found McLaren designer Mike Coughlan (having served 109 Force India Mercedes Michael Schumacher’s number of consecutive themselves in the ‘top 5’ of the overall standings – his suspension for his role in the 2007 Formula 76 Williams Renault 26 Toro Rosso Ferrari race finishes amongst the points (24 from 2001 to except for Michael Schumacher who was thirteenth. One espionage controversy) as Chief Designer, and promoting Jason Somerville to Head of Aerodynamics. The Spanish Grand Prix was won by Pastor country with a Grand Prix winner (after Argentina, Race Pole Winner The first seven races of the 2012 season were won Maldonado from Venezuela, a country which had the Brazil and Columbia). GP AUSTRALIA Hamilton Button (2) by seven different drivers. This was a new record in cheapest gas in the world. In times when Italians had Only at the European Grand Prix in June did one GP MALAYSIA Hamilton Alonso (8) Formula 1. The old one dated back to 1983 when the to pay 2 Euros per litre, the people of Venezuela filled of the winners of those first seven races manage to win GP CHINA Rosberg Rosberg season began with 5 different winners. the same amount for a couple of cents. Maldonado again. It was to be Fernando Alonso who was first in GP BAHRAIN Vettel Vettel At the third race of the season in Shanghai Nico was thought to be connected with the president the overall standings for the next seven races. Alonso GP SPAIN Maldonado Maldonado Rosberg from Germany celebrated his first ever Grand of Venezuela Hugo Chávez, but Pastor assured me won in Germany and got a podium placing at the GP MONACO Webber Webber GP CANADA Vettel Hamilton (2) Prix win. His father Keke therefore became the first during our interview in Monza that this was not true. British, Italian and Singapore Grand Prix. Retirements GP EUROPE Vettel Alonso (11) father to witness his son repeat the same achievement. Venezuela became only the fourth South American in the first laps of the Belgian and Japanese Grand GP GREAT BRITAIN Alonso Webber (2) GP GERMANY Alonso Alonso GP HUNGARY Hamilton Hamilton »Maybe we didn’t win the title, but we certainly gained GP BELGIUM Button Button GP ITALY Hamilton Hamilton GP SINGAPORE Hamilton Vettel (3) respect from others. Besides, my fans and friends agree who was GP JAPAN Vettel Vettel GP SOUTH KOREA Webber Vettel (2) the best driver in Formula 1 this year.« GP INDIA Vettel Vettel GP ABU DHABI Hamilton Räikkönen (4) FERNANDO ALONSO GP USA Vettel Hamilton (2) GP BRAZIL* Hamilton Button (2) Prix gave the opponents an opportunity to close the gap behind him and they did – especially Sebastian Most wins Most pole positions Vettel who took over the championship lead after the 5 Vettel 7 Hamilton sixteenth race of the season. Vettel too was having 4 Hamilton 6 Vettel somewhat of a stressful season. In Malaysia he col ided 3 Alonso 2 Alonso with a backmarker and failed to score points. In Abu Button Webber 2 Webber 1 Button Dhabi he had to start the race out of the pits. And 1 Rosberg Rosberg so on. Prior to the last race of the season Vettel lead Maldonado Maldonado the championship by 13 points ahead of Alonso. The Räikkönen Spaniard had to finish third in case of Vettel’s troubles, but Vettel had none. The German finished sixth while 7 Red Bull 8 Red Bull Alonso was second, and the title went to Germany. McLaren McLaren Vettel became the first driver to immediately add 3 Ferrari 2 Ferrari 1 Mercedes 1 Mercedes two more titles to his first one. Fernando Alonso: Lotus Williams “We certainly didn’t lose the title today as we did in Williams Belgium and Japan. Maybe we didn’t win the title, but we gained respect from others. Besides, my fans and friends agree who was the best driver this year.” 2013 SEBASTIAN VETTEL (Red Bull Renault) Winter testing in Barcelona suggested that Red initiative. The German was basically undefeated in Bul ’s era would come to an end. The fastest times qualifying (and races!) from the Belgian Grand Prix belonged to teams Mercedes and Ferrari. The Stuttgart onwards. In Abu Dhabi he equalled Schumacher’s based team was later the only one to beat Red Bull in 7 wins in a row during a single season, and then qualifying. surpassed this record from 2004 at the US Grand The 2013 season had a lot of accidents. The first Prix. He won the title at the Indian Grand Prix where one was at the Canadian Grand Prix. One of the he became only the fourth driver with the fourth marshals (Graham Beveridge) tried to pick up his title and after Fangio and Schumacher only the third radio receiver off the ground when a mobile crane ran with a fourth in a row! After his victory lap he didn’t him over. The crane was used to remove the wreckage drove into the garage. He chose the start-finish line of Esteban Guiterrez who flew off track moments instead and he made the fans happy there with a before. The marshal succumbed to his injuries. Then in couple of pirouettes. He then stepped out of the STANDINGS Germany a lose wheel during Mark Webber’s pit-stop car, knelled before it, and to close up the celebration 397 Sebastian Vettel (red bull renault) 242 Fernando Alonso (ferrari) flew off of the Red Bull and into Paul Allen, a FOM threw his glows into the crowd. The commissars gave 199 Mark Webber (red bull renault) cameraman. Paul luckily sustained only minor injuries. him a fine of 25 thousand Euros and he also received 189 Lewis Hamilton (mercedes) 183 Kimi Räikkönen (lotus renault) FIA immediately intervened and limited the pit access a warning. Despite his amazing successes the winning 171 Nico Rosberg (mercedes) only to marshals and team members. By the end of the season proved to be a bit difficult one. Vettel received 132 Romain Grosjean (lotus renault) 112 Felipe Massa (ferrari) year Maria de Villota from Spain died due to cardiac Kimi Räikkönen won from seventh place on the grid a concert of whistles in Italy, which was maybe 73 Jenson Button (mclaren mercedes) 51 Nico Hülkenberg (sauber ferrari) arrest. This was probably a consequence of a serious – but the Finn was lucky, for it was raining almost the understandable, but in Singapore many raised their 49 Sergio Perez (mclaren mercedes) accident during testing a Formula 1 car for Marussia in whole weekend. Much was written about Räikkönen eyebrows – even Lewis Hamilton who said: “We 48 Paul di Resta (force india mercedes) 29 Adrian Sutil (force india mercedes) 2012 when she even lost her right eye. Team Marussia in 2013, but this time not because of his funny radio shouldn’t insult anybody for their successes, even if 20 Daniel Ricciardo (toro rosso ferrari) (just like Team Caterham) failed to score points in comments. During the midseason he signed a contract they got them in an easier way. Sebastian is on the 13 Jean-Eric Vergne (toro rosso ferrari) 6 Esteban Guiterrez (sauber ferrari) 2013. with Ferrari and then missed out the last two races of verge of becoming world champion for the fourth 4 Valtteri Bottas (williams renault) 1 Pastor Maldonado (williams renault) It started with the Australian Grand Prix. It was 2013 due to back surgery. There were rumours that the time running and he deserves only praise.” Former calculated that the winner or the driver who would get surgery was only an official reason of missing at the last driver Martin Brundle who conducted the interviews TEAMS 596 Red Bull Renault pole position in Melbourne had more than 90-percent two races, an unofficial was supposedly Räikkönen’s in Singapore politely asked the fans not to whistle. 360 Mercedes chance to win the title. From 1996 onwards only two revenge for not getting his salary from Lotus on time. Sebastian calmly said: “They are on a world tour. 354 Ferrari 315 Lotus Renault seasons (2005 and 2012) didn’t have a champion who Kimi claimed this wasn’t true at al . Financial problems They travel round the world with a bus.” 122 McLaren Mercedes 77 Force India Mercedes won or got a pole position in Australia. And even in were also found in teams Sauber and Williams. During the midseason it became clear that Mark 57 Sauber Ferrari these two seasons the driver with the title got at least The first part of the season was ‘coloured’ with Webber was to leave Formula 1 at the end of the 33 Toro Rosso Ferrari 5 Williams Renault a podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix. In 2013 different winners, then Sebastian Vettel took over the year. The Aussie announced he would be racing with Porsche’s sports cars in 2014 while at Red Bull his place team managed to sum up at the Monaco Grand Prix. to the FIA every year, told me (in Monza that same Race Pole Winner was reserved for another Aussie – Daniel Ricciardo. During this time the FIA announced changes year): “This year I visited the track in Zeltweg which GP AUSTRALIA Vettel Räikkönen (7) In the meantime Felipe Massa signed a contract with in the calendar for the 2014 season. They added the is, as you know, renovated. They did a good job there. GP MALAYSIA Vettel Vettel Team Williams for the 2014 season while at McLaren first Russian Grand Prix which was to be held at I’m surprised that people accepted the return of the GP CHINA Hamilton Alonso (3) they decided upon the rookie Kevin Magnussen, the Sochi, the winter Olympics venue. Also, the Austrian race to the calendar with such enthusiasm. I’m glad GP BAHRAIN Rosberg Vettel (2) son of a former Formula 1 driver Jan Magnussen. Grand Prix in Zeltweg was back after 11 years and they feel this way about it.” The interview with Bernie GP SPAIN Rosberg Alonso (5) Of the records one stood out: Ferrari had no less this delighted the Slovenians again, for the track Ecclestone in Monza was published at the Slovenian GP MONACO Rosberg Rosberg GP CANADA Vettel Vettel than 65 consecutive races amongst the points (in Abu was close to the Austrian-Slovene border. Bernie website Dnevnik.si in Slovenian language and also GP GREAT BRITAIN Hamilton Rosberg (2) Dhabi), thus braking McLaren’s 64 which the British Ecclestone, who assembled the calendar and gave it at Autoracing1.com in English language. Bernie’s PR GP GERMANY Hamilton Vettel (2) GP HUNGARY Hamilton Hamilton GP BELGIUM Hamilton Vettel (2) »I visited the track in Zeltweg which is, as you know, renovated. GP ITALY Vettel Vettel GP SINGAPORE Vettel Vettel GP SOUTH KOREA Vettel Vettel They did a good job there. I’m surprised that people accepted GP JAPAN Webber Vettel (2) GP INDIA* Vettel Vettel the return of the race with such enthusiasm.« GP ABU DHABI Webber Vettel (2) GP USA Vettel Vettel BERNIE ECCLESTONE GP BRAZIL Vettel Vettel Chiho Kai took care of this meeting of ours. Chiho Most wins Most pole positions told me that Enrica Marenghi would wait for me at 13 Vettel 9 Vettel Monza and Enrica sometimes exchanged with Lucy 2 Alonso 5 Hamilton at the Grand Prix venues. When Bernie Ecclestone Rosberg 3 Rosberg politely referred me to turn to Patsy Heavey for the 1 Hamilton 2 Webber use of the name Formula 1 in my book and then Patsy Räikkönen referred me to turn to Karen Minier, I politely said to 13 Red Bull 11 Red Bull Enrica that it is no wonder the ‘Old man’ looks so good 3 Mercedes 8 Mercedes at the age 0f 82. Enrica smiled and added: “Oh, there’s 2 Ferrari much more of us.” This too is Formula 1! 1 Lotus The last race in Brazil was important because of the overall standings in the World Cup for Constructors. A better place meant more money and there were millions of Euros in stake. Team Mercedes, Ferrari and Lotus were separated by 33 points but none of them managed to gain a place. Heikki Kovalainen replaced Kimi Raikkonen at the last two races but failed to finish these events amongst the points scorers. 2014 LEWIS HAMILTON (Mercedes) The 2014 season marked the end of Red Bul ’s The World Cup for Constructors – the first for supremacy. The new team to beat was to become Mercedes in the long history of this sport – was won Mercedes which was even more dominant than Red in Sochi. Bull in previous years. The Stuttgart based team set Prior to the beginning of the 2014 season the numerous records and in the next three seasons won fans of the seven time world champion Michael 51 races out of possible 59! Their driving pair Lewis Schumacher were saddened by news that the German Hamilton – Nico Rosberg fought relentlessly for every had an accident during skiing in the French Alps in inch of the track. December. Schumacher hit a rock with his head, Prior to the last race in Abu Dhabi the leading cracking his helmet in the process. He suffered severe driver of the championship Lewis Hamilton enjoyed head trauma and was put into an artificial coma an advantage of 17 points over his teammate Nico from which he didn’t fully wake up for 6 months. He Rosberg. Even with the novelty in the FIA rule book was released from the hospital in September but he STANDINGS (drivers would get double the amount of points at the remained paralyzed, couldn’t talk and had problems 384 Lewis Hamilton (mercedes) last race; the winner 50, the second placed man 36, with his memory. Predictions about his recovery were 317 Nico Rosberg (mercedes) 238 Daniel Ricciardo (red bull renault) the third 30, and so on) it seemed that Nico was in different, it was rumoured that it would be up to 3 186 Valtteri Bottas (williams mercedes) 167 Sebastian Vettel (red bull renault) a very difficult position. In case of his victory Lewis years until he recovers. It is less known that one of the 161 Fernando Alonso (ferrari) Hamilton needed only a second place. And since it journalists didn’t even believe he was injured. In his 134 Felipe Massa (williams mercedes) 126 Jenson Button (mclaren mercedes) rarely happened that a driver of some other team split British driver with more than one title (after Jim Clark, opinion the whole thing was staged by Schumacher 96 Nico Hülkenberg (force india mercedes) the Mercedes pair… Mercedes already had eleven 1-2 Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart). Lewis Hamilton: himself. A few months prior to Schumacher’s accident 59 Sergio Perez (force india mercedes) 55 Kevin Magnussen (mclaren mercedes) finishes going into the season finale in the United Arab “This is the best day of my life. I am happier now than an article titled ‘Did Schumacher cry because of Kimi Räikkönen (ferrari) 47 Sergio Perez (force india mercedes) Emirates. This was a new record (the old one dated I was in 2008 when I won my first title. Nico fought revenge’ circled round the reporters. The article was 22 Jean-Éric Vergne (toro rosso renault) back to 1988). Rosberg knew he had a very difficult like a lion, he was a tough rival to beat. I’m really sad about Schumacher’s tears at the 2001 Italian Grand 8 Romain Grosjean (lotus renault) Daniil Kvyat (toro rosso renault) task ahead of him. Nico Rosberg: “I’m nonetheless he couldn’t finish the race. Yes, he congratulated me Prix where the German equalled Senna’s number of 2 Pastor Maldonado (lotus renault) optimistic. Hamilton spun while I was leading the sincerely and I have to thank him for that.” Rosberg’s wins. Was Schumacher’s accident merely revenge to the Jules Bianchi (marussia ferrari) Brazilian Grand Prix and I hope he repeats the mistake. consolation prize was the trophy for most pole media because of this article? TEAMS 701 Mercedes He surely has a lot more to lose than I do.” But it was positions in a season (handed out for the first time in If someone doubted about Schumacher’s coma, 405 Red Bull Renault all in vane for the German. Rosberg made a mistake Formula 1 history). Nico’s 11 pole positions in 2014 nobody doubted about the one the Frenchman Jules 320 Williams Mercedes 216 Ferrari at the start already, handing out the lead to Hamilton. became the second highest number of a driver who Bianchi was put in after his horrifying accident at the 181 McLaren Mercedes He later had car trouble as well and only managed to failed to win the championship in that same year. The Japanese Grand Prix. It was raining heavily there and 155 Force India Mercedes 30 Toro Rosso Renault finish the competition in fourteenth place (without record holder was Ayrton Senna, having 13 in 1989 – one of the spectators caught the moment of impact 10 Lotus Renault 2 Marussia Ferrari crossing the finish line!). Lewis became only the fourth but loosing the championship to teammate Prost. with his cell phone. Bianchi crashed into a mobile crane which was removing the wreckage of Adrian with the yellow flags drivers rarely put their foot off Air Zermatt. The latter proposed removing the crashed Race Pole Winner Sutil. Jules hit the crane so hard the air intake or better the throttle in case of an accident. I added a video from cars with a helicopter, thus preventing the dangerous GP AUSTRALIA Hamilton Rosberg (3) yet the whole upper part of his Marussia was torn away. 2003 when similar problems were seen in the Curva mobile cranes coming onto the track during the race. GP MALAYSIA Hamilton Hamilton GP BAHRAIN Rosberg Hamilton (2) The accident could have been prevented. After the Do Sol corner at the Brazilian track Interlagos. Prior The thing was tested for the first time at one of the GP CHINA Hamilton Hamilton death of Graham Beveridge at the Canadian Grand to the 2014 Brazilian Grand Prix the FIA changed the 2005 races in the A1 Grand Prix series. GP SPAIN Hamilton Hamilton Prix a year before I wrote to the FIA (and some other position of the mobile crane in the Senna ‘S’ chicane One of the biggest if not the biggest change of the GP MONACO Rosberg Rosberg people from Formula 1) about the safety of these (Curva Do Sol comes after the Senna ‘S’ chicane). At whole 2014 season was the arrival of 1.6-litre six-valve GP CANADA Rosberg Ricciardo (6) mobile cranes coming onto the track while the race that time the Swiss paper Blick wrote about an idea turbo engines which replaced the 2.4-litre normally GP AUSTRIA Massa Rosberg (3) was still on. But nobody answered. I knew that even which was presented to the FIA by a company called aspirated V8’s. The change was as noticeable as it was GP GREAT BRITAIN Rosberg Hamilton (6) GP GERMANY Rosberg Rosberg GP HUNGARY Rosberg Ricciardo (3) »This is the best day of my life. I am much happier now than I GP BELGIUM Rosberg Ricciardo (4) GP ITALY Hamilton Hamilton GP SINGAPORE Hamilton Hamilton was when I won my first World Championship back in 2008. Nico GP JAPAN Rosberg Hamilton (2) GP RUSSIA Hamilton Hamilton fought like a lion. He was a tough competitor.« GP USA Rosberg Hamilton (2) GP BRAZIL Rosberg Rosberg LEWIS HAMILTON GP ABU DHABI* Rosberg Hamilton (2) heard, for the new engines were far less noisy than the Most wins Most pole positions old ones. And a lot of people were not happy with 11 Hamilton 11 Rosberg 5 Rosberg 7 Hamilton this. Probably sellers of earplugs too, for these were a 3 Ricciardo 1 Massa necessary item while watching races up to 2014. An interesting data might be that by the end of the 2014 16 Mercedes 18 Mercedes season the racing cars weren’t much slower than in 3 Red Bull 1 Williams 2013. In fact, at the Brazilian Grand Prix Nico Rosberg set a new track record! The surprise of the season was Daniel Ricciardo. The young Australian had a far better season than his teammate. In the meantime Sebastian Vettel signed a three year contract with Ferrari where he would replace Fernando Alonso. For the first time in many years Team Sauber failed to score points and was having financial problems as well. Team Marussia Ferrari also had troubles with surviving and had to announce bankruptcy before the end of the season. 2015 LEWIS HAMILTON (Mercedes) Quite a few records were broken in 2015. Lewis mistake was a consequence of a sudden gust of wind) Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel got ahead of Ayrton and lost the lead (and consequently the championship Senna in the number of wins (the Brazilian was third as well) to Hamilton. In the meantime Lewis showed prior to 2015), Kimi Räikkönen beat Alain Prost’s strong performances throughout the season and despite number of fastest laps (Michael Schumacher stayed first securing the title early the Brit decided to win the last in that category), and the Dutch driver Max Verstappen three races too and therefore equal the record amount from the Netherlands became the youngest Grand Prix of wins in one season. He failed at the first of those winner (at the age of 17). races already. Just like the year before Lewis Hamilton and The Mexican Grand Prix where Rosberg beat Nico Rosberg fought it out for the championship. Hamilton was the first in that country after 23 years Meanwhile Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari proved to be and the Mexicans rightly so prepared a real spectacle. a serious threat to the Mercedes pair. The German did The whole racing weekend was visited by 360 thousand STANDINGS trail Hamilton and Rosberg by more than 30 seconds spectators, and the specialty of the circuit Autódromo 381 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) in Australia, but at the next race he was already ahead Hermanos Rodríguez became a former basebal 322 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 278 Sebastian Vettel (ferrari) of them. It has to be underlined that at the Malaysian field with a huge grand stand through which the drivers 150 Kimi Räikkönen (ferrari) 136 Valtteri Bottas (williams mercedes) Grand Prix the safety car period helped Vettel quite a drove. Also, highest speeds of the season were being 121 Felipe Massa (williams mercedes) lot, but the Ferrari car was quick and even if it trailed set in Mexico. Lewis Hamilton managed 362.3kph 95 Daniil Kvyat (red bull renault) 92 Daniel Ricciardo (red bull renault) the Mercedes by a second in qualifying, Hamilton and an accident ultimately costs you the championship. In which was just 10kph off the record set by Juan Pablo 78 Sergio Pérez (force india mercedes) Rosberg couldn’t afford to relax and take races easily – 2015 Nico Rosberg lost out mainly because of worse Montoya at the 2005 Italian Grand Prix (372.6kph). It 58 Nico Hülkenberg (force india mercedes) 51 Romain Grosjean (lotus mercedes) Scuderia’s race pace always seemed to be fearsome. qualifying positions compared to those in 2014 and might be interesting that drivers in 2015 won races only 49 Max Verstappen (toro rosso renault) 27 Felipe Nasr (sauber ferrari) In the previous season Nico Rosberg made tiny because of bad starts. Also, he was unluckier than in from the first three grid positions which hadn’t happen Pastor Maldonado (lotus mercedes) mistakes which ultimately cost him the championship. 2014. In Bahrain he received the team’s apology for since 2007. 18 Carlos Sainz ml. (toro rosso renault) 16 Jenson Button (mclaren honda) From a psychological point of view the 2014 Bahrain brake failure which cost him (at least) a second place Rosberg secured himself the second place in the 11 Fernando Alonso (mclaren honda) Grand Prix proved to be the one that affected the (he finished third!). In Hungary Daniel Ricciardo overall standings at the Brazilian Grand Prix where, 9 Marcus Ericsson (sauber ferrari) whole season. Hamilton was ‘closing the doors’ too punctured his right rear tyre while the German was again, he didn’t shake hands with his teammate. Ever TEAMS 703 Mercedes aggressively there, but Rosberg (despite his obvious driving behind race leader Vettel (Nico finished eighth). since the US Grand Prix where Hamilton supposedly 428 Ferrari dissatisfaction in the cockpit) strangely stepped out In Italy his engine blew when he was about to overtake pushed Rosberg off the track at the first corner, the 257 Williams Mercedes 187 Red Bull Renault of the car happy. Maybe he didn’t realise himself that Vettel for second place and the Mercedes driver had relationship between the two deteriorated. Mercedes’s 136 Force India Mercedes despite a good ‘dogfight’ which everybody enjoys and to retire. In Russia, where he was leading, his throttle team leader Toto Wolff: “We had the same problem 78 Lotus Mercedes 67 Toro Rosso Renault carries the mass of people into a far bigger passion jammed and he also had to retire. In USA, leading the last year when Rosberg unintentionally punctured 36 Sauber Ferrari 27 McLaren Honda towards this sport, holding off the throttle to prevent race again, he made a mistake (he later claimed the Hamilton’s tyre in Belgium. And, again, we’ll have quite some difficulties getting their relationship back to its world champion. Hamilton’s percentage of wins against supporting systems. Philippe Bianchi (Jules’s father): Race Pole Winner ‘original’ state. Fortunately, we have some experiences the number of starts became better than Senna’s. So did “Even before entering into Formula 1 we spoke about GP AUSTRALIA Hamilton Hamilton with this already.” Mercedes won the World Cup for Vettel’s. Sebastian’s actually became slightly better than whether or not he would’ve liked this sort of life after GP MALAYSIA Hamilton Vettel (2) GP CHINA Hamilton Hamilton Constructors in Russia while Hamilton commented Lewis’s, but despite this fact the German found himself an accident. Despite knowing his wishes it wasn’t an GP BAHRAIN Hamilton Hamilton on his third title with these words: “It’s hard to find only in sixth place in that category, behind Juan Manuel easy decision.” GP SPAIN Rosberg Rosberg the right words. I owe it all to my father and family Fangio, Alberto Ascari, Jim Clark, Michael Schumacher Jules became the first fatality amongst the drivers GP MONACO Hamilton Rosberg (2) who supported me all these years. I’m particularly and Jackie Stewart. in 20 years, but despite his accident dangerous places GP CANADA Hamilton Hamilton happy of equal ing the amount of titles with my great The season was saddened by news that parents of remained unseen by leading men of Formula 1. Nico GP AUSTRIA Hamilton Rosberg (2) idol Ayrton Senna. It’s crazy to think I am a three time Jules Bianchi decided to unplug their son from life Hülkenberg had a frightening accident at the 2015 GP GREAT BRITAIN Hamilton Hamilton GP HUNGARY Hamilton Vettel (3) GP BELGIUM Hamilton Hamilton »I owe it all to my father and family who supported me all GP ITALY Hamilton Hamilton GP SINGAPORE Vettel Vettel GP JAPAN Rosberg Hamilton (2) these years. I am particularly happy of equalling the amount of GP RUSSIA Rosberg Hamilton (2) GP USA* Rosberg Hamilton (2) titles with my great idol Ayrton Senna.« GP MEXICO Rosberg Rosberg GP BRAZIL Rosberg Rosberg LEWIS HAMILTON GP ABU DHABI Rosberg Rosberg Hungarian Grand Prix. The front wing of his Force Most wins Most pole positions India broke off and got stuck underneath the car on 10 Hamilton 11 Hamilton 6 Rosberg 7 Rosberg the start-finish straight at over 300kph. The German 3 Vettel 1 Vettel couldn’t go anywhere but straight forward into the tyre barrier. The Hungaroring racing circuit was renovated 16 Mercedes 18 Mercedes in 2003 when the start-finish straight was extended, 3 Ferrari 1 Ferrari but this extension shortened the run-off area. Engineers couldn’t make a bigger one because of an important road near the track. The shorter run-off area literary called for a tragic accident to happen. Hülkenberg did escape from his wreckage unharmed, but 2 weeks later Berto Camlek from Slovenia lost his life while racing with a motorcycle there. Berto too suffered serious head trauma – sustained during the fall after he was hit by one of the competitors and run over by another one. Lewis Hamilton was slowly becoming the next big star of Formula 1. Had it not been for him, the sport probably wouldn't retain such a status. 2016 NICO ROSBERG (Mercedes) One can look at Formula 1 from two perspectives. Rio Haryanto from Indonesia and Frenchman From the first one he or she can see the pointlessness Esteban Ocon (both from Team Manor) failed of it all – twenty or more racing drivers unnecessarily to score points. A new track was on the streets of arguing about who has the right to take the corner Baku in Azerbaijan (European Grand Prix) where first when it’s clear the driver in front has to defend Valtteri Bottas set a new record. The Finn came out his position and the driver at the back has to attack to of Verstappen’s slipstream and on the longest straight gain one. When a col ision occurs you can’t really put (2.2 kilometres!) drove 378kph or 105 metres per the blame on anyone, for everything happens in the second! In Mexico Bottas almost broke Montoya’s heat of the battle – unless someone deliberately causes record from 2005. Valtteri drove 372.5kph, missing an accident! From the second perspective Formula the record by just 0.1kph! STANDINGS 385 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1 represents – as one of the English writers wrote Max Verstappen became the youngest winner 380 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – something exciting to break up the monotony in Formula 1. The Dutch driver, who was 18-years 256 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Renault) 212 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) of life or lethargic numbness and at the same time old at the time, beat Vettel’s age from Monza 2008 204 Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso Ferrari, Red Bull Renault) shows us a battle of man and machine against natural by almost 3 years! But Verstappen’s win came 186 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 101 Sergio Pérez (Force India Mercedes) surroundings. Practically anybody could have won only because of a col ision between Hamilton and 85 Valtteri Bottas (Williams Mercedes) 72 Nico Hülkenberg (Force India Mercedes) the 2016 title in the Mercedes car. Perhaps someone Rosberg. The Mercedes pair later col ided on two 54 Fernando Alonso (McLaren Honda) from the 20 and some driver couldn’t do it, but the more occasions – the first time at the Canadian 53 Felipe Massa (Wlliams Mercedes) 46 Carlos Sainz ml. (Toro Rosso Ferrari) starting grid was full of names which could! That’s to finish amongst the points at his debut. He even Grand Prix and then in Austria. It was Hamilton 29 Romain Grosjean (Haas Ferrari) why Formula 1 is or isn’t interesting… secured himself a race seat in the McLaren team for who benefited from all three col isions. It is hard to 25 Danill Kvyat (Red Bull Renault, Toro Rosso Ferrari) 21 Jenson Button (McLaren Honda) It began in a ‘bombastic’ way. At the first the 2017 season. determine who of the two was unluckier in 2016. In 7 Kevin Magnussen (Renault) 2 Felipe Nasr (Sauber Ferrari) race in Australia Fernando Alonso crashed into So, you could still get hurt in Formula 1. Monaco Rosberg let Hamilton in front due to team 1 Joylon Palmer (Renault) Esteban Guiterrez’s Haas-Ferrari at high speed. The But Alonso’s crash wasn’t the only one. A rather orders while in Malaysia Lewis’s engine blew when Pascal Wehrlein (Manor Mercedes) Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren Honda) McLaren slid off track, struck a camera placed into frightening was seen at the Monaco Grand Prix. he was leading the race. Prior to the last 4 races of the TEAMS a concrete casing, then rolled in the air as it clipped During practice on the narrow streets of Monte season Rosberg led the championship by 36 points 765 Mercedes the gravel in the run-off area. “Looks familiar,” said Carlo Nico Rosberg drew over a drain cover which ahead of his teammate. Even if Hamilton had won 468 Red Bull Renault 398 Ferrari Martin Brundle who had a similar accident in 1996. punctured his tyre. The cover then flew into air and all of those remaining races, Rosberg needed ‘only’ 3 173 Force India Mercedes Fernando was quickly out of the car. “I did that Jenson Button hit it with his front wing at high second places and one third. Going into the season 138 Williams Mercedes 76 McLaren Honda because of my mother. I didn’t want her to worry,” speed. The session was immediately stopped for a finale in the United Arab Emirates Rosberg secured 63 Toro Rosso Ferrari he later explained. The Spaniard missed the next check-up of other covers. those 3 second places and only needed to finish third. 29 Haas Ferrari 8 Renault race in Bahrain where he was replaced by the rookie The season had a record number of races (21). The media tried to bring the tension to its highest. 2 Sauber Ferrari 1 Manor Mercedes Stoffel Vandoorne from Belgium. The latter managed Team Haas was new in Formula 1. And of the rookies Bernie Ecclestone: “It is better for Formula 1 if Hamilton wins the championship. Lewis is a magnet – Ricciardo got between them with a 4.25). The With his numerous wins in 2016 Lewis Hamilton Race Pole Winner for the crowd while Rosberg isn’t that interesting with German also had far less penalties than the Brit. managed to overtake Alain Prost in the category GP AUSTRALIA Hamilton Rosberg (2) his calm family life.” Going into the season finale in Abu Dhabi he only ‘most wins’ (from then on the Brit only had Michael GP BAHRAIN Hamilton Rosberg (2) GP CHINA Rosberg Rosberg Rosberg finished all qualifying sessions of the had a penalty of 5 extra starting places (Hamilton had Schumacher in his sights!) while Ferrari’s season GP RUSSIA Rosberg Rosberg 2016 season in first or second place. The last time 65!) because of a gearbox change in Austria where he proved to be a disaster. Team Scuderia was unlucky GP SPAIN Hamilton Verstappen (4) someone did that was – at least to the knowledge started the race from sixth. Alonso was the one with in the first part of the season and in the second they GP MONACO Ricciardo Hamilton (3) of this author – back in 1996 when Damon Hill most penalties (105 places!) and the Spaniard was lost the pace to Mercedes and even got overtaken by GP CANADA Hamilton Hamilton did the same. Nico had a better average qualifying remembered mostly for his lightening start in Russia Red Bul . In the meantime Mercedes broke numerous GP EUROPE Rosberg Rosberg result compared to his teammate (1.6 against 4.3 (his reaction time was eight hundreds of a seconds!). records and compared to the series MotoGP where GP AUSTRIA Hamilton Hamilton GP GREAT BRITAIN Hamilton Hamilton GP HUNGARY Rosberg Hamilton (2) »I would like to dedicate this World Championship to my wife GP GERMANY Rosberg Hamilton (2) GP BELGIUM Rosberg Rosberg GP ITALY Hamilton Rosberg (2) and our child. I’m glad I was able to do the same thing my father GP SINGAPORE Rosberg Rosberg GP MALAYSIA Hamilton Ricciardo (4) did, that is win the title in Formula 1. I’m speachless.« GP JAPAN Rosberg Rosberg GP USA Hamilton Hamilton NICO ROSBERG GP MEXICO Hamilton Hamilton GP BRAZIL Hamilton Hamilton GP ABU DHABI* Hamilton Hamilton 9 different drivers won at least one race (this was also a new record in this motorcycling series) pushed Formula 1 into an era of monotone results. Most wins Most pole positions 10 Hamilton 12 Hamilton But the latter didn’t deprive fans of some amazing 9 Rosberg 8 Rosberg track action and compared to MotoGP a world 1 Ricciardo 1 Ricciardo championship decider at the last race (it was all over Verstappen in MotoGP with 3 races to go!). I am mentioning the MotoGP series a bit more because of the following 19 Mercedes 20 Mercedes reason. While watching one of the races I came up 2 Red Bull Renault 1 Red Bull Renault with an idea for the TV viewers. This idea included a development of a new graphic which would show racing fans what kind of lines racers took round the track. During the last laps in Abu Dhabi Vettel and Verstappen came dangerously close to Rosberg driving in second place. But the German held of all attacks and became champion. Nico’s father Keke became the first champion to watch a son repeat his achievement.